RESUMEN
A left ventricular thrombus (LVT) in cardiac disease is associated with various adverse events. To understand the risk of thromboembolism, it is necessary to recognize when LVT is most likely to occur. We present a case of acute lymphocytic myocarditis in a young patient, where the LVT manifestation occurred within 48 hours after the beginning of the disease and was treated by thrombectomy. We have not found any reports of LVT formation earlier than in this case. Patients with acute myocarditis are younger, at a median age of 34 years, and the social impact of embolic complications is considerable. Echocardiography is effective in detecting LVT noninvasively in low- and high-risk patients. Patients with myocarditis can benefit from careful observation by echocardiography.
RESUMEN
Polyamines are aliphatic hydrocarbons with terminal amino groups and are essential for biological activities. It has been reported that polyamines have health-promoting effects in animals, such as the extension of lifespan by polyamine intake. The identification of a high polyamine-producing bacterium from foods could lead to the development of a novel probiotic candidate. We aimed to identify high polyamine-producing bacteria from food, and isolated and collected bacteria from vegetables and fermented foods produced in Japan. We successfully acquired Latilactobacillus curvatus KP 3-4 isolated from Kabura-zushi as a putrescine producing lactic acid bacteria. Comparing the polyamine synthesis capability of L. curvatus KP 3-4 with that of typical probiotic lactic acid bacteria and L. curvatus strains available from the Japan Collection of Microorganisms, it was found that only L. curvatus KP 3-4 was capable of exporting high levels of putrescine into the culture supernatant. The enhancement of putrescine production by the addition of ornithine, and whole-genome analysis of L. curvatus KP 3-4, suggest that putrescine is synthesized via ornithine decarboxylase. The administration of L. curvatus KP 3-4 to germ-free mice increased the concentration of putrescine in the feces.
RESUMEN
We have developed biocompatible scaffolds that enable cell fate control with visible light. The scaffolds are based on synthetic collagen-like polypeptide, poly(prolyl-hydroxyprolyl-glycyl) {poly(Pro-Hyp-Gly)} which has been used for cosmetics and other healthcare applications. Bioactive peptides were conjugated to the scaffolds via photoactivation reaction utilizing 488 nm visible light. In addition, the use of a photocleavable crosslinker enables dissociation of chemical moieties by 405 nm laser irradiation. The synthesis scheme enables optical control to attach and detach functional peptides in pre-patterned shapes. Using bone forming peptide (BFP), we demonstrate that calcium deposition by rat bone stromal cells can be directed on the scaffold. Using other signaling molecules and three-dimensional scaffolds, controlled differentiation of stem cells can be achieved by spatio-temporally specific irradiation of confocal microscope laser.
