In Vitro Characterization of Drug-Loaded Superabsorbent Polymer Microspheres: Absorption and Release Capacity of Contrast Material, Antibiotics and Analgesics.

PURPOSE: To examine the characteristics of drug-loaded superabsorbent polymer microspheres (SAP-MS) such as drug absorption, drug release, diameter, and visibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SAP-MS (HepaSphere150-200 µm; Merit Medical, South Jordan, UT, USA) were suspended in drug solutions: (a) cefazolin, (b) lidocaine, (c) iopamidol and cefazolin, (d) iopamidol and lidocaine, and (e) iopamidol, cefazolin, and lidocaine. The concentrations of drugs were measured, and the amount of each drug absorbed was calculated. Filtered drug-loaded SAP-MS were mixed with saline, and the drug release rates were calculated. The diameter changes of SAP-MS during absorption were observed. Radiography of drug-loaded SAP-MS was evaluated as radiopacity by contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). RESULTS: The drug concentration did not change during absorption. The release rates increased for 10 min and then came to an equilibrium. The mean amounts of drug absorbed at 180 min and mean release rates at 24 h were (a) cefazolin: 265.4 mg, 64.2%; (b) lidocaine: 19.6 mg, 75.6%; (c) iopamidol: 830.2 mg, 22.5%; cefazolin: 137.6 mg, 21.2%; (d) iopamidol: 1620.6 mg, 78.5%; lidocaine: 13.5 mg, 81.4%; and (e) iopamidol: 643.7 mg, 52.9%; cefazolin: 194.0 mg, 51.6%; lidocaine: 5.3 mg, 58.4%. The diameter of SAP-MS increased for approximately 15 min. Finally, the diameters of SAP-MS were (a) 3.9 times, (b) 5.0 times, (c) 2.2 times, (d) 5.5 times, and (e) 3.6 times larger than the original size. Drug-loaded SAP-MS containing iopamidol were visible under X-ray imaging, with CNRs of (c) 3.0, (d) 9.0, and (e) 4.5. CONCLUSION: SAP-MS can absorb and release iopamidol, cefazolin, and lidocaine.

Correction of large jawbone defect in the mouse using immature osteoblast-like cells and a 3D polylactic acid scaffold.

Bone tissue engineering has been developed using a combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and calcium phosphate-based scaffolds. However, these complexes cannot regenerate large jawbone defects. To overcome this limitation of MSCs and ceramic scaffolds, a novel bone regeneration technology must be developed using cells possessing high bone forming ability and a scaffold that provides space for vertical bone augmentation. To approach this problem in our study, we developed alveolar bone-derived immature osteoblast-like cells (HAOBs), which have the bone regenerative capacity to correct a large bone defect when used as a grafting material in combination with polylactic acid fibers that organize the 3D structure and increase the strength of the scaffold material (3DPL). HAOB-3DPL constructs could not regenerate bone via xenogeneic transplantation in a micromini pig alveolar bone defect model. However, the autogenic transplantation of mouse calvaria-derived immature osteoblast-like cells (MCOBs) isolated using the identical protocol for HAOBs and mixed with 3DPL scaffolds successfully regenerated the bone in a large jawbone defect mouse model, compared to the 3DPL scaffold alone. Nanoindentation analysis indicated that the regenerated bone had a similar micromechanical strength to native bone. In addition, this MCOB-3DPL regenerated bone possesses osseointegration ability wherein a direct structural connection is established with the titanium implant surface. Hence, a complex formed between a 3DPL scaffold and immature osteoblast-like cells such as MCOBs represents a novel bone tissue engineering approach that enables the formation of vertical bone with the micromechanical properties required to treat large bone defects.

Stent graft treatment for coronary sinus hemorrhage associated with esophageal cancer.

Hemorrhage arising from the coronary sinus is very rare and can be lethal. It has historically been treated surgically. The present patient had coronary sinus rupture secondary to esophageal cancer and an abscess in the pericardium. Due to her poor general status, this patient was contraindicated for surgery and underwent endovascular therapy. The hemorrhage was treated by stent graft deployment and the patient was temporarily discharged. Two months later, CT showed that the stent graft was occluded by thrombosis. The patient died without hemorrhage 2.5 months thereafter.

Clinical Applications of Cell-Scaffold Constructs for Bone Regeneration Therapy.

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is a process of combining live osteoblast progenitors with a biocompatible scaffold to produce a biological substitute that can integrate into host bone tissue and recover its function. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most researched post-natal stem cells because they have self-renewal properties and a multi-differentiation capacity that can give rise to various cell lineages, including osteoblasts. BTE technology utilizes a combination of MSCs and biodegradable scaffold material, which provides a suitable environment for functional bone recovery and has been developed as a therapeutic approach to bone regeneration. Although prior clinical trials of BTE approaches have shown promising results, the regeneration of large bone defects is still an unmet medical need in patients that have suffered a significant loss of bone function. In this present review, we discuss the osteogenic potential of MSCs in bone tissue engineering and propose the use of immature osteoblasts, which can differentiate into osteoblasts upon transplantation, as an alternative cell source for regeneration in large bone defects.

Distribution of scatter radiation by C-arm cone-beam computed tomography in angiographic suite: measurement of doses and effectiveness of protection devices.

Distribution of radiation by C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the angiographic suite and effectiveness of protection devices were assessed. CBCT image of a human phantom was obtained by a rotation of 220 degrees during 8 seconds of exposure. One hundred and twelve dosimeters were placed at different positions around the beam entry site, and color maps of dose distributions were drawn for horizontal and vertical planes. The measurements showed the highest radiation dose over 600 µGy by a single CBCT image acquisition at a distance of 60 cm from the beam entry site and a height of 90 cm from the floor. The color maps demonstrated the dose distribution to be more intense at the bilateral directions of the phantom. With the use of a ceiling-mounted transparent lead-acryl screen and a table-suspended lead curtain, the doses were reduced by 45-92 % at a direction of 210 degrees and a distance of 120 cm.

Orally administered octacosanol improves some features of high fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats.

We examined whether orally administered octacosanol, a long-chain aliphatic saturated alcohol, improves the features of high fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats. Five-week-old rats were fed a high fructose diet containing 60% fructose for 3 weeks. Then, the high fructose fed rats received a daily single oral administration of octacosanol (10 or 100 mg/kg body weight) with high fructose feeding for one week. Three- or four-week high fructose feeding increased insulin resistance, serum insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, uric acid, and lipid peroxide concentrations, and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol contents significantly and decreased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin concentrations significantly but did not affect blood pressure and hepatic lipid peroxide and reduced glutathione contents. Four-week high fructose feeding decreased hepatic ascorbic acid content significantly. Oral administration of octacosanol (10 or 50 mg/kg body weight) to high fructose-fed rats for the last 1-week fructose diet feeding attenuated these changes except serum insulin level and insulin resistance significantly and increased hepatic reduced glutathione content significantly. The higher dose of Oct decreased hepatic lipid peroxide content significantly. These results indicate that orally administered octacosanol improves dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, hypoadiponectinemia, and oxidative stress associated with the features of high fructose-induced metabolic syndrome rats.

Location of embolization affects patency after coil embolization for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: importance of time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography for diagnosis of patency.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (TR-MRA) for patency after coil embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) and identify factors affecting patency. METHODS: Data from the records of 205 patients with 378 untreated PAVMs were retrospectively analyzed. Differences in proportional reduction of the sac or draining vein on CT between occluded and patent PAVMs were examined, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of CT using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the definitive diagnostic modality. The accuracy of TR-MRA was also assessed in comparison to DSA. Potential factors affecting patency, including sex, age, number of PAVMs, location of PAVMs, type of PAVM, and location of embolization, were evaluated. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of CT were 82%, 81%, 77%, 85%, and 82%, respectively, when the reduction rate threshold was set to 55%, which led to the highest diagnostic accuracy. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of TR-MRA were 89%, 95%, 89%, 95%, and 93%, respectively. On both univariable and multivariable analyses, embolization of the distal position to the last normal branch of the pulmonary artery was a factor that significantly affected the prevention of patency. CONCLUSIONS: TR-MRA appears to be an appropriate method for follow-up examinations due to its high accuracy for the diagnosis of patency after coil embolization of PAVMs. The location of embolization is a factor affecting patency. KEY POINTS: • Diagnosis of patency after coil embolization for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) is important because a patent PAVM can lead to neurologic complications. • The diagnostic accuracies of CT with a cutoff value of 55% and TR-MRA were 82% and 93%, respectively. • The positioning of the coils relative to the sac and the last normal branch of the artery was significant for preventing PAVM patency.

Effect of High Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome on Tissue Vitamin E and Lipid Peroxide Levels in Rats.

In the present study, we examined the effect of high fructose-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) on tissue vitamin E and lipid peroxide (LPO) levels in rats. Feeding of a diet containing 60% fructose (HFD) to Wistar rats for 2, 4, and 6 wk caused week-dependent increases in HOMA-IR score and serum insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and free fatty acid concentrations. Each week HFD feeding increased serum vitamin E concentration. Six-week HFD feeding reduced vitamin E status (the serum ratio of vitamin E/triglyceride+total cholesterol). Four- and 6-wk HFD feeding increased serum LPO concentration. Two-week HFD feeding increased liver, heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle (SM) vitamin E contents and decreased white adipose tissue (WAT) vitamin E content. Four- and 6-wk HFD feeding further reduced WAT vitamin E content without affecting the increased kidney and SM vitamin E contents. Six-week HFD feeding reduced the increased liver and heart vitamin E contents below the level of non-HFD feeding. Four-week HFD feeding increased heart and WAT LPO contents. Six-week HFD feeding increased liver LPO content and further increased heart and WAT LPO contents. Kidney and SM LPO contents remained unchanged. These results indicate that HFD-rats with early MetS have increased liver, kidney, heart, and SM vitamin E contents and decreased WAT vitamin E content under unchanged tissue LPO content and vitamin E status, while HFD-fed rats with progressed MetS have both decreased liver, heart, and WAT vitamin E contents under increased tissue LPO content and disrupted vitamin E status.

Percutaneous Retrieval of a Misinserted Pigtail Catheter Straightener during Infra-Renal Abdominal Aortic Stenting: A Case Report.

Percutaneous retrieval of an intravascular foreign body is a minimally invasive technique. Using cone-beam computed tomography and the lateral grasp technique, we successfully retrieved a pigtail catheter straightener that had been misinserted into the right common iliac artery. Some examples of catheter straightener retrieval have been reported; however, it is important to take care not to accidentally insert a catheter straightener into a vessel via an angiographic sheath.

In vitro evaluation of radiopacity of contrast-loaded superabsorbent polymer microspheres (SAP-MS) with static imaging and flow model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiopacity of contrast-loaded superabsorbent polymer microspheres (SAP-MS) under X-ray imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SAP-MS were suspended in contrast material (iodixanol) and the diameter change was assessed. The diameter of contrast-loaded SAP-MS in saline was measured sequentially. Radiography of the contrast-loaded SAP-MS was evaluated as radiopacity by contrast-to-noise ratio and visibility by multiple reader scoring. Under digital subtraction angiography, contrast-loaded SAP-MS were injected into a flow model. The flow speed was 1-10 cm/s, and images were acquired at 1-7.5 frames per second using a pulse width of 10-85 ms. Images were assessed by multiple reader scoring. RESULTS: The diameter of SAP-MS increased to 4.0-5.0 times its original size for approximately 15 min. The diameter of contrast-loaded SAP-MS in saline further increased by 10-30% within several minutes and returned to the previous size. Radiopacity and visibility of contrast-loaded SAP-MS decreased in 30 min after mixing with saline. Visibility was better with slow flow speed and narrow pulse width. CONCLUSION: For effective observation, contrast-loaded SAP-MS should be kept in non-diluted contrast material until use. The conditions of slower flow and use of a narrow pulse width are recommended.

Phase II Trial of Transarterial Embolization Using an n-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate/Lipiodol Mixture (JIVROSG-0802).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the embolic effect and the safety of transarterial embolization (TAE) using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in a prospective multicenter trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was an open-label, multicenter, phase II trial. The inclusion criteria were (1) active bleeding or pseudoaneurysm, (2) true aneurysm, (3) arteriovenous malformation (except cerebral lesion), (4) arteriovenous fistula, or (5) need for arterial distribution before transarterial treatment. Selective TAE with NBCA diluted 2-10 times was performed. The primary endpoint was the success rate of embolization with a per-patient analysis based on the angiographic findings. Secondary endpoints were safety, evaluated based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4, and the success rate of embolization with a per-vessel calculation. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were initially enrolled, but due to protocol violation in two patients, efficacy was ultimately analyzed in 63 patients (103 vessels) and safety was analyzed in 64 patients. The success rate per patient was 98.4% (62/63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 91.5-100.00), and the success rate per vessel was 99.0% (102/103; 95% CI, 94.7-100.0). Adverse events of grade 3 or above based on CTCAE version 4 occurred in 22/64 patients (34.4%). Twelve intraoperative or postoperative adverse events grade 3 or above, which may have been related to embolization using NBCA, occurred in 11/64 patients (17.2%). Three patients died after embolization using NBCA, but their deaths were unrelated to TAE. CONCLUSION: In this prospective multicenter clinical trial, the efficacy of TAE using NBCA was 98.4% and adverse events were clinically acceptable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3b.

Polidocanol Sclerotherapy Combined with Transarterial Embolization Using n-Butyl Cyanoacrylate for Extracranial Arteriovenous Malformations.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of polidocanol sclerotherapy combined with transarterial embolization using a liquid adhesive agent (n-butyl cyanoacrylate, NBCA) for treatment of extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with symptomatic AVMs in the head and neck (6), upper (7) and lower extremity (10) with a mean age of 42 years (range 4-74) treated with polidocanol sclerotherapy were retrospectively assessed. AVMs were classified according to the angiographic morphology of the nidus. There were 2 type I, 6 type II, 6 type IIIa and 9 type IIIb. Arterial embolization using NBCA was performed to reduce arterial flow before sclerotherapy. Polidocanol mixed with contrast material or carbon dioxide was delivered by percutaneous direct puncture. RESULTS: Treatment was successfully performed in all patients. In the mean follow-up period of 38 months, symptoms resolved or improved in 20/23 patients (87.0%). AVMs were devascularized 100% in 2 patients, 76-99% in 13, 50-75% in 7 and < 50% in 1. More than 50% devascularization was seen in 22 patients (95.6%). Two (8%) patients had complete remission, 17 (74%) had partial remission and 3 (13%) had no remission. There was no aggravation. Treatment was considered effective (complete and partial remission) in 20 patients (87.0%). Minor complications including localized arterial thrombosis (2) and spontaneously healing skin ulcer (1) were seen in 2 patients (8.7%). There were no major procedure-related complications. CONCLUSION: Polidocanol sclerotherapy combined with transarterial embolization using NBCA is safe and effective for treating extracranial AVMs with an acceptable risk of minor complications.

Renal dysfunction after abdominal or thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: incidence and risk factors.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of renal dysfunction after abdominal endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 227 patients treated with EVAR and 90 with TEVAR for aortic aneurysms. Parameters, including patients' background factors, preoperative renal function, contrast dose and aortic wall irregularity on CT images were assessed in relation to postoperative renal dysfunction. RESULTS: Deterioration of renal function was observed in 33 of 218 patients (15.1%) after EVAR and in 7 of 79 (8.9%) patients after TEVAR. Hemodialysis was required in one patient after EVAR. In EVAR, renal dysfunction correlated with age (p = 0.034) and occlusion of accessory renal artery (p = 0.0001). In TEVAR, renal dysfunction correlated with age (p = 0.021), contrast dose (p = 0.042) and irregularity of the descending aortic wall (p = 0.023). In a multiple regression analysis, postoperative renal dysfunction was correlated with occlusion of accessory renal artery (p = 0.0003) after EVAR, and age (p = 0.02), contrast dose (p = 0.026) and irregularity of the descending aortic wall (p = 0.042) after TEVAR. CONCLUSION: Occlusion of accessory renal artery in EVAR, and age, contrast dose and irregularity of the descending aortic wall in TEVAR were considered to be predictors of postoperative renal dysfunction.

Uterine artery embolization by use of porous gelatin particles for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas: comparison with hand-cut gelatin sponge particles.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic uterine leiomyoma by use of porous gelatin particles (PGP) in comparison with conventional hand-cut gelatin sponge particles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients who had undergone UAE were retrospectively assessed. The first 64 patients were treated with hand-cut gelatin sponge and the last 51 with PGP. Extent of infarction, volume reduction of the dominant leiomyoma on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and change in symptoms were assessed. RESULTS: UAE was successfully performed for all patients. No major complications were observed. MR images one month after UAE showed that the mean extent of infarction of the dominant leiomyoma was 97 % for patients treated with PGP and 96 % for those treated with hand-cut gelatin sponge. Volume reductions of the dominant leiomyoma after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months were, respectively, 45, 56, 62, and 66 % for use of PGP and 45, 57, 63, and 68 % for use of hand-cut gelatin sponge. Symptoms including heavy menstrual bleeding, heavy menstrual pain, and abdominal heaviness had improved by 95-100 % at 12 months. There was no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: UAE with PGP is safe, and as effective as conventional gelatin sponge particles.

Ethanolamine oleate sclerotherapy combined with transarterial embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate for extracranial arteriovenous malformations.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of ethanolamine oleate (EO) sclerotherapy combined with transarterial embolization using a liquid adhesive agent (n-butyl cyanoacrylate, NBCA) for treatment of extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). METHODS: Twenty-four patients with symptomatic AVMs in the head and neck (n = 15), extremity (n = 5), and trunk (n = 4) with a mean age of 44 years (range, 18-78) treated with EO sclerotherapy were retrospectively assessed. AVMs were classified according to the angiographic morphology of the nidus. There were 7 type II (arteriolovenous fistulae), 6 type IIIa (arteriolovenulous fistulae with nondilated fistula), and 11 type IIIb (arteriolovenulous fistulae with dilated fistula). Transarterial embolization using NBCA was performed to reduce arterial flow before sclerotherapy. EO mixed with contrast material was delivered by percutaneous direct puncture or by catheterization into the draining vein under balloon occlusion. RESULTS: Three (13%) of 24 patients were cured, 17 (71%) had partial remission, and 4 (16%) no remission. Treatment was considered effective (cure and partial remission) in 20 patients (83%). Four patients (16%) experienced transient minor complications, including self-healing skin ulcer (n = 3) and localized deep venous thrombosis (n = 1). There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: EO sclerotherapy combined with transarterial embolization using NBCA is safe and effective for treating extracranial AVMs with an acceptable risk of minor complications.

Decay of impact after self-management education for people with chronic illnesses: changes in anxiety and depression over one year.

BACKGROUND: In people with chronic illnesses, self-management education can reduce anxiety and depression. Those benefits, however, decay over time. Efforts have been made to prevent or minimize that "decay of impact", but they have not been based on information about the decay's characteristics, and they have failed. Here we show how the decay's basic characteristics (prevalence, timing, and magnitude) can be quantified. Regarding anxiety and depression, we also report the prevalence, timing, and magnitude of the decay. METHODS: Adults with various chronic conditions participated in a self-management educational program (n = 369). Data were collected with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale four times over one year. Using within-person effect sizes, we defined decay of impact as a decline of ≥0.5 standard deviations after improvement by at least the same amount. We also interpret the results using previously-set criteria for non-cases, possible cases, and probable cases. RESULTS: Prevalence: On anxiety, decay occurred in 19% of the participants (70/369), and on depression it occurred in 24% (90/369). Timing: In about one third of those with decay, it began 3 months after the baseline measurement (6 weeks after the educational program ended). Magnitude: The median magnitudes of decay on anxiety and on depression were both 4 points, which was about 1 standard deviation. Early in the follow-up year, many participants with decay moved into less severe clinical categories (e.g., becoming non-cases). Later, many of them moved into more severe categories (e.g., becoming probable cases). CONCLUSIONS: Decay of impact can be identified and quantified from within-person effect sizes. This decay occurs in about one fifth or more of this program's participants. It can start soon after the program ends, and it is large enough to be clinically important. These findings can be used to plan interventions aimed at preventing or minimizing the decay of impact.

Water-immersion restraint stress disrupts nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems through rapid and continuous ascorbic acid depletion in the adrenal gland of rats.

We examined whether water-immersion restraint stress (WIRS) disrupts nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems through ascorbic acid depletion in the adrenal gland of rats. Rats were exposed to WIRS for 0.5, 1.5, 3 or 6 h. WIRS increased serum adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone and glucose concentrations and adrenal corticosterone content at each time point. WIRS increased adrenal lipid peroxide content at 3 and 6 h, and the increase was twofold higher than the unstressed level at 6 h. WIRS decreased adrenal ascorbic acid content at each time point, and the decrease reached one-third of the unstressed level at 6 h. WIRS increased adrenal reduced glutathione content at 0.5 and 6 h but reduced that content to half of the unstressed level at 6 h. WIRS increased adrenal α-tocopherol content at 1.5 h but returned that content to the unstressed level thereafter. When rats with 6 h of WIRS was orally preadministered with l-ascorbic acid (250 mg/kg), WIRS-induced changes in adrenal lipid peroxide, ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione contents were attenuated without any change in stress response. These results indicate that WIRS disrupts nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems through rapid and continuous ascorbic acid depletion in the adrenal gland of rats.

Management of home blood pressure by amlodipine combined with angiotensin II receptor blocker in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) as a first-line drug for hypertension in diabetes often fails to control blood pressure adequately. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of amlodipine combined therapy on home blood pressure (HBP) useful for management of hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 263 type 2 diabetes with hypertension refractory to standard dose of ARB were randomized to increased ARB regimen (n=132) or amlodipine combination regimen (n=131). The primary endpoint was change in morning HBP at 1 year. The combination regimen significantly lowered morning HBP than the increased ARB regimen (158.2/82.5 mmHg in the combination regimen, 157.3/84.4 mmHg in the increased ARB regimen, at baseline; 142.7/76.3 vs. 155.0/83.1 mmHg, respectively, P<0.001 for both, at 8 weeks; 139.6/74.6 vs. 149.1/78.1 mmHg, respectively, P<0.001 for systolic and P=0.010 for diastolic, at 1 year). The combination regimen showed significantly higher rates of achieving target morning HBP at 8 weeks (11.3% vs. 2.7%, P=0.015). In the combination regimen, estimated glomerular filtration rate declined slower, and carotid intima-media thickness decreased in contrast to the increased ARB regimen. CONCLUSIONS: In type 2 diabetes patients with hypertension refractory to standard dose of ARB, the amlodipine combination regimen provides superior antihypertensive effect on HBP to the increased ARB regimen, and beneficial effects on reducing risks of cardiovascular events.

Oblique approach for CT-guided liver radiofrequency ablation using multiplanar reformation images in hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of CT-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation by caudal-cranial oblique insertion using multiplanar reformation (MPR) images for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two HCCs in 19 patients that were difficult to demonstrate on ultrasound (mean tumor diameter was 17.5 mm) were treated with CT-guided RF ablation by caudal-cranial oblique insertion to avoid pneumothorax, using MPR images after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. The insertion point and direction of insertion, avoiding aerated lung parenchyma, bones, large vessels, and intestine, were sought on the MPR images. Technical success was defined as complete eradication of tumor enhancement in the contrast-enhanced CT. Local tumor progression was defined by the appearance of enhanced tumor adjacent to the zone of ablation. The technical success rate, local tumor progression, and complications were investigated. RESULTS: The coronal plane was used for insertion in 18 tumors, the sagittal plane in 3 tumors, and the oblique plane in 1 tumor. RF electrode placement was successful and complete necrosis was obtained in all cases. During the mean follow-up period of 38.0 months, local tumor progression was not detected in any of the patients. There were no major complications, including pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: CT-guided RF ablation by caudal-cranial oblique insertion using MPR images is a feasible and safe therapeutic option.

Melatonin improves metabolic syndrome induced by high fructose intake in rats.

In this study, we examined whether melatonin improves metabolic syndrome induced by high fructose intake in male Wistar rats. Feeding of a diet containing 60% fructose (HFD) for 4 or 6 wk caused increased serum insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, uric acid, leptin, and lipid peroxide concentrations as well as hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations, and relative intra-abdominal fat and liver weights. The 4- or 6-wk HFD feeding reduced serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin concentrations. The 6-wk HFD feeding increased serum tumor necrosis factor-α concentration and hepatic lipid peroxide concentration and lowered hepatic reduced glutathione concentration. Daily intraperitoneal administration of melatonin (1 or 10mg/kg body weight), starting at 4-wk HFD feeding, attenuated these changes at 6-wk HFD feeding more effectively at its higher dose than at its lower dose. In an oral glucose tolerance test, rats with 4- or 6-wk HFD feeding showed higher serum insulin response curve and normal serum glucose response curve when compared with the corresponding animals that received the control diet. The 4- or 6-wk HFD feeding caused insulin resistance, judging from the scores of HOMR-IR and QUICKI, which are indices of insulin resistance. The daily administered melatonin (1 or 10mg/kg body weight) ameliorated the higher serum insulin response curve in the oral glucose tolerance test and insulin resistance at 6-wk HFD feeding more effectively at its higher dose than at its lower dose. These results indicate that melatonin improves metabolic syndrome induced by high fructose intake in rats.