Classification and analysis of the natural corner curving motion of humans based on gait motion.

The curving motion of the human body is more complex than gait motion for straight walking. In particular, when human can freely curve corners, the gait motion varies among and even within individuals. However, is it not possible to classify natural curving motion using a statistical method? This study investigates the natural curving motion, encompassing various walking paths selected by subjects, as opposed to previous studies that focused on specific stepping strategies or curving motion under precisely controlled conditions. As a result, the natural curving motions are statistically classified into five distinct groups based on certain motion indices. Each group represents a curving strategy and is mainly characterized by the inner inclination of the pelvis, outer rotation of hip joints at the time of heel contact of the inner leg, and inner and/or outer rotation of hip joints at the time of heel contact of the outer leg. Such strategies are speculated as typical motions within the large variation in natural curving motion. Another finding is that, unlike the joint pattern of lower limb joints in the sagittal plane, hip rotation and the abduction/adduction angle drastically change when curving. In particular, the large inner rotation and abduction angles of the hip joint of both legs, which reached approximately 30° and 10°, respectively, become important when considering the curving gait of a physical assistant robot. Our analysis and findings help specify the joint motion required for physical assistant robots.

Combined effect of body mass index and waist-height ratio on incident diabetes; a population based cohort study.

We investigated the impact of combined effect of body mass index and waist-to-height ratio on risk of diabetes. Overweight and abdominal obesity were defined as body mass index ≥23 kg/m2 and waist-to-height ratio ≥0.5, respectively. We divided participants into four groups according to presence of overweight and/or abdominal obesity. About 20% individuals with overweight did not complicated with an abdominal obesity. Among 3,737 participants, 286 participants had diabetes at baseline-examination. Adjusted odds ratios for prevalence of diabetes compared with non-overweight participants without abdominal obesity were as follow: 1.87 (95% confidence interval 1.09-3.14, p = 0.024) in non-overweight participants with abdominal obesity, 1.51 (0.87-2.55, p = 0.141) in overweight participants without abdominal obesity and 3.25 (2.37-4.52, p<0.001) in overweight participants with abdominal obesity. In the follow-up examination, 86 participants were diagnosed as diabetes among 2,263 participants. Adjusted odds ratios for incident diabetes were as follow: 2.59 (0.98-6.44, p = 0.056) in non-overweight participants with abdominal obesity, 1.65 (0.64-4.00, p = 0.288) in overweight participants without abdominal obesity and 2.77 (1.55-5.15, p<0.001) in overweight participants with abdominal obesity. Non-overweight individuals with abdominal obesity as well as overweight individuals with abdominal obesity was associated with diabetes compared with non-overweight individuals without abdominal obesity.

Sodium-chloride Difference and Metabolic Syndrome: A Population-based Large-scale Cohort Study.

Objective Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Hypernatremia and hypochloremia are also associated with an increased mortality. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the sodium-chloride difference (Na+-Cl-) and MetS. Methods In this cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study, we enrolled 3,875 subjects and evaluated the relationship between Na+-Cl- and MetS using logistic regression analyses. MetS was diagnosed according to the joint interim statement when a subject had three or more of the following criteria: hypertension; hyperglycemia; hypertriglyceridemia; low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; and abdominal obesity. Results There were 3,354 subjects without MetS and 521 subjects with MetS at baseline. The highest Na+-Cl- quartile (≥43 mmol/L) was associated with an increased risk of the presence of MetS compared to the lowest Na+-Cl- quartile (≤38 mmol/L) after adjusting for covariates, including age, sex, the body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid and lifestyle factors [multivariate odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-2.84, p=0.0078]. After an 8-year follow-up, 658 out of 3,352 subjects were newly diagnosed with MetS. The highest Na+-Cl- quartile (≥43 mmol/L) was associated with an increased risk of the development of MetS compared to the lowest Na+-Cl- quartiles (≤38 mmol/L) after adjusting for covariates (multivariate OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.27-2.45, p=0.0007). Conclusion The sodium and chloride difference is associated with MetS.

The novel association between red complex of oral microbe and body mass index in healthy Japanese: a population based cross-sectional study.

Microbiota has been thought to be one of important environmental factors for obesity or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Among oral microbe, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannellera forsythia are known as risk factors, so called red complex, for periodontitis. Red complex could also be a risk factor for obesity. However, recent study indicated that obesity was not improved by periodontal therapy. Thus, we performed a cross sectional study to reveal the association of oral microbe with body mass index in a healthy population. Healthy individuals were randomly recruited. The infections of oral microbe were identified by Taqman polymerase chain reaction. The relationships between number of red complex and body mass index or waist circumference were analyzed. Two hundred and twenty-two apparently healthy Japanese were enrolled. BMI and waist circumference as well as age, periodontitis, number of brushing teeth were significantly associated with the number of red complex after adjusting covariance. The effect size of body mass index or waist circumference was 0.023 (p = 0.028) or 0.024 (p = 0.024), respectively. Body mass index and waist circumference were independently associated with the number of red complex among apparently healthy Japanese. The current observation implies the possibility that oral microbe was associated with obesity in healthy population.

Hemoglobin concentration and incident metabolic syndrome: a population-based large-scale cohort study.

Previous cross-sectional studies revealed an association between hemoglobin concentration and a prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association between hemoglobin concentration and incident MetS remains to be elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between hemoglobin concentration and incident MetS. We enrolled 2695 subjects (1454 men and 1241 women) and performed 8-year follow-up cohort study. MetS was diagnosed, according to the joint interim statement, when a subject had three or more of the following components: hypertension; hyperglycemia; hypertriglyceridemia; low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and abdominal obesity. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of hemoglobin concentration on incident MetS by adjusting for age, body mass index, lifestyle factors, including smoking status, habit of alcohol and habit of exercise, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, and uric acid. The highest (≥157 g/L) and third (151-156 g/L) hemoglobin concentration quartiles were associated with the increased risk of incident MetS compared to the lowest (<145 g/L) hemoglobin concentration quartile after adjusting for covariates in men (multivariate odds ratio (OR) 2.24, 95% CI 1.34-3.85, P = 0.0021 and multivariate OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.21-3.45, P = 0.0070). On the other hand, there was no association between hemoglobin concentration and incident MetS in women. Hemoglobin concentration was a novel risk marker for incident MetS in men.

The PR interval and QRS duration could be predictors of renal function decline.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have implicated PR interval (iPR) and QRS duration (dQRS) obtained by electrocardiography in independent predictors of cardiovascular disease, which often precedes renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to examine whether iPR or dQRS could be a predictor of renal function decline in a community-based cohort. METHODS: We enrolled 1149 healthy subjects, and retrospectively evaluated the relationships between iPR or dQRS and renal function decline, observation period of which was 3 years, and assessed whether iPR or dQRS could predict renal function decline. RESULTS: The iPR (r=-0.102, p=0.0006) or dQRS (r=-0.097, p=0.0010) was negatively associated with a rate of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Multiple regression analyses revealed that iPR (ß=-0.095, p=0.0023) or dQRS (ß=-0.069, p=0.0351) was an independent determinant of the rate of decline in eGFR after adjustment for covariates. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the longest iPR (odds ratios (OR), 2.03; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.49 to 2.76; p<0.0001) or dQRS (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.25; p=0.0043) tertile showed an increased OR for prevalence of the rate of decline in eGFR≤1 ml/min/1.73 m2/year compared to the shortest iPR or dQRS tertile after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSION: The iPR and dQRS could be independent predictors of renal function decline in healthy subjects.

Metabolically healthy obesity and risk of incident CKD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is a unique obesity phenotype that apparently protects people from the metabolic complications of obesity. The association between MHO phenotype and incident CKD is unclear. Thus, this study investigated the association between MHO phenotype and incident CKD. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: A total of 3136 Japanese participants were enrolled in an 8-year follow-up cohort study in 2001. Metabolically healthy status was assessed by common clinical markers: BP, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose concentrations. Body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m(2) was defined as obesity. CKD was defined by proteinuria or eGFR of <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). To calculate the odds ratio for incident CKD, logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The crude incidence proportions of CKD were 2.6% (56 of 2122 participants) in participants with the metabolically healthy nonobesity phenotype, 2.6% (8 of 302) in those with the MHO phenotype, 6.7% (30 of 445) in those with the metabolically abnormal nonobesity phenotype, and 10.9% (29 of 267) in those with the metabolically abnormal obesity phenotype. Compared with metabolically healthy nonobesity phenotype, the odds ratios for incident CKD were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.36 to 1.72; P=0.64) for MHO, 1.44 (95% CI, 0.80 to 2.57; P=0.22) for metabolically abnormal nonobesity, and 2.80 (95% CI, 1.45 to 5.35; P=0.02) for metabolically abnormal obesity phenotype after adjustment for confounders, including age, sex, smoking statues, alcohol use, creatinine, uric acid, systolic BP, HDL cholesterol, and impaired fasting glucose or diabetes. CONCLUSION: MHO phenotype was not associated with higher risk of incident CKD.

Low serum bilirubin concentration is a predictor of chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. It is very important to identify the factors that affect CKD. Previous studies have reported that serum bilirubin concentration was positively correlated with renal function in a cross-sectional study. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and the progression of CKD. METHODS: A cohort study was performed on a consecutive series of 2784 subjects without CKD, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), at baseline. We analyzed the relationship between serum total bilirubin concentration at baseline and new-onset CKD in the general population. RESULTS: We followed the subjects for a median period of 7.7 years. There were 1157 females and 1627 males, and 231 females and 370 males developed CKD during this period. Multiple Cox regression analyses revealed that serum total bilirubin concentration (hazard ratio (HR) per 1.0 µmol/L increase 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.99), P = 0.0084) in addition to age, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), uric acid (UA), creatinine and medication for hypertension in men and serum total bilirubin concentration (HR per 1.0 µmol/L increase 0.96 (95% CI 0.93-1.00), P = 0.0309) in addition to age, GGT, alanine aminotransferase, UA, creatinine and medication for dyslipidemia in women were independent predictors of new-onset CKD, after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that serum total bilirubin concentration could be a novel risk factor for the progression of CKD, defined as eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), in the general population.

Atrophic gastritis is associated with coronary artery disease.

Atrophic gastritis is characterized by chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori infection and other factors. Helicobacter pylori infection has been linked to coronary artery disease. To our knowledge, however, no reports are available on the relationship between atrophic gastritis and coronary artery disease. In this study, we investigated the relationship between atrophic gastritis, which is diagnosed based on serum pepsinogen levels (pepsinogen I ≤ 70 ng/mL and pepsinogen I/II ratio ≤ 3.0), and the prevalence of coronary artery disease in general Japanese population. Among 2,633 study subjects, 531 subjects (20.2%) were diagnosed as atrophic gastritis. The prevalence of coronary artery disease was higher in the atrophic gastritis-positive group than that in the atrophic gastritis-negative group (5.8% vs 2.8%, p = 0.0005). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that atrophic gastritis was independently associated with coronary artery disease (odds ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.72), after adjustment for age, sex, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and habits of smoking and drinking. These results suggest that atrophic gastritis is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa may be associated with the prevalence of coronary artery disease.

Pepsinogen I/II ratio is related to glucose, triacylglycerol, and uric acid levels.

OBJECTIVE: Under- and overnutrition are associated with a worse prognosis and constitute independent risk factors for morbidity and mortality. It is increasingly important to understand the factors that affect nutritional and metabolic statuses. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation between the pepsinogen I/II ratio and several biochemical markers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 1985 subjects who underwent a health screening test. Subjects had no medications for hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension. All subjects were classified into two groups. Subjects with a pepsinogen I/II ratio below 3 were defined as having atrophic gastritis. The relations between the pepsinogen I/II ratio and several biochemical markers, including total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, uric acid, cholinesterase, and glucose levels, were evaluated. RESULTS: The presence of atrophic gastritis was significantly associated with age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and triacylglycerol, uric acid, cholinesterase, and hemoglobin levels. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the pepsinogen I/II ratio was an independent determinant of glucose level (ß = 0.104, P < 0.0001), triacylglycerol level (ß = 0.072, P = 0.0014), uric acid level (ß = 0.048, P = 0.0138), and hemoglobin (ß = 0.037, P = 0.0429) after adjustments for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and body mass index. CONCLUSION: The pepsinogen I/II ratio was related to glucose, triacylglycerol, and uric acid levels. Such an association fosters the idea that a decreased pepsinogen I/II ratio seems favorable for the prevention of overnutrition.

The serum concentration of allograft inflammatory factor-1 is correlated with metabolic parameters in healthy subjects.

Obesity is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation characterized by inflamed adipose tissue with increased infiltration of macrophages. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between the serum concentration of allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), which is a marker of activated macrophages, and metabolic parameters. The serum AIF-1 concentrations were measured in 303 healthy subjects (163 men and 140 women). We then evaluated the relationships between the serum AIF-1 concentrations and metabolic parameters, including fasting plasma glucose levels, serum lipid concentration, uric acid concentration, and waist circumference. The serum AIF-1 concentrations positively correlated with levels of fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.159, P =.0056), hemoglobin A(1c) (r = 0.169, P = .0032), triglycerides (r = 0.137, P = .0172), and uric acid (r = 0.146, P = .0108) and with waist circumference (r = 0.221, P = .0001) and body mass index (r = 0.185, P = .0012), whereas the serum AIF-1 concentrations inversely correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (r = -0.178, P = .0019). Stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that hemoglobin A(1c) level (ß = .133, F = 5.490, P < .05) and waist circumference (ß = .197, F = 11.954, P < .05) were independent predictors of the serum AIF-1 concentrations. The serum AIF-1 concentrations correlated with clinical and biochemical metabolic parameters. Allograft inflammatory factor-1 may be a significant predictor of activated macrophages as well as cardiovascular disease in humans.

Low urine pH Is a predictor of chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A variety of risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), including the metabolic syndrome, were recently reported. It has been suggested that a low urine pH is another characteristic of the metabolic syndrome. However, the relationship between urine pH and CKD remains to be elucidated. METHODS: A cohort study was performed on 1,811 subjects who underwent a health check-up, and we examined whether low urine pH could be a predictor of CKD. The following risk factors for CKD were evaluated: age, gender, history of alcohol intake and smoking, BMI, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, uric acid, total leukocyte count, CKD stage, fasting urine pH, and protein at baseline. RESULTS: We followed 1,811 subjects for a median period of 7.7 years. Three hundred and thirty-nine subjects developed stage 3 CKD defined as progression to estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Multiple Cox regression analysis revealed that the adjusted HR (95% CI) for stage 3 CKD was 1.32 (1.06-1.65; p = 0.0129) in subjects with fasting urine pH 5.0-5.5 compared to subjects with pH 6.5-7.0. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that low urine pH is an independent predictor of stage 3 CKD.

High plasma 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid concentrations in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Serotonin mediates vasoconstriction and induces the activation of platelets, which may promote atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA; a derivative end product of serotonin) concentrations are high in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to investigate the relationship between plasma 5-HIAA concentrations and clinical and biochemical metabolic parameters. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma 5-HIAA concentrations were measured in 311 subjects (152 men and 159 women) recruited from the Oike Clinic, which provides regular health check-ups for employees. We evaluated the relationship between plasma 5-HIAA concentrations and clinical and biochemical metabolic parameters, including waist circumference, serum lipid concentrations, fasting plasma glucose, or blood pressure. RESULTS: Plasma 5-HIAA concentrations were higher in subjects with MetS than in those without, in both men (6.5 ± 4.4 vs. 4.9 ± 1.3 ng/mL, P < 0.005) and women (7.9 ± 6.5 vs. 5.2 ± 1.6 ng/mL, P < 0.005). In men, fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.197, P = 0.0146) was positively correlated, whereas HDL cholesterol (r = -0.217, P = 0.0071) was negatively correlated, with logarithmic (log) (plasma 5-HIAA concentrations). In women, triglycerides (r = 0.252, P = 0.0013) and fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.344, P < 0.0001) were positively correlated, whereas HDL cholesterol (r = -0.328, P < 0.0001) was negatively correlated, with log (5-HIAA concentrations). Furthermore, log (plasma 5-HIAA concentrations) were higher in subjects with more components of MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma 5-HIAA concentrations are high in subjects with MetS, suggesting the potential importance of serotonin in the development of cardiovascular disease in MetS.

Risk factors for development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia.

We investigated the risk factors for the development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia simultaneously in a community-based observational cohort study (n=4304). When hypertension or dyslipidemia was present at baseline, hazard ratio (95% CI) of developing diabetes mellitus at year 5 is 3.014 (2.131-4.264) or 2.112 (1.520-2.936), respectively.

Noninvasive evaluation of coronary reperfusion by CT angiography in patients with STEMI.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) can differentiate coronary reperfusion with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 from TIMI flow grade ≤ 2 after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). BACKGROUND: Multidetector computed tomography has become a popular modality for noninvasive coronary artery imaging. Recently, 64-slice MDCT has been applied to evaluate coronary arteries in acute coronary artery disease. METHODS: The presence or absence of distal reperfusion in infarct-related arteries (IRA) was visualized with 64-slice MDCT during the acute phase in 87 non-high-risk patients after STEMI. To differentiate TIMI flow grade 3 from TIMI flow grade 2, we calculated the computed tomography (CT) number ratio by dividing the CT number of the contrast-enhanced coronary lumen at the most distal IRA by that at the proximal site to the culprit lesion in patients with reperfusion on MDCT. The MDCT findings were compared with TIMI flow grade with invasive coronary angiography (ICA) performed 20 ± 5 min later. RESULTS: According to ICA, 58 patients had TIMI flow grade 0 or 1, 17 had TIMI flow grade 2, and 12 had TIMI flow grade 3, whereas distal reperfusion was evident on MDCT in 28 of the 29 patients with TIMI flow grade ≥ 2 and absent in 55 of the 58 with TIMI flow grade ≤ 1. The CT number ratio was significantly higher in TIMI flow grade 3 than in TIMI flow grade ≤ 2 (0.64 ± 0.11 vs. 0.37 ± 0.12; p < 0.0001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a diagnosis of TIMI flow grade 3 on the basis of a CT number ratio of ≥ 0.54 that was an optimal cutoff value determined by receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis were 92%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Visualization of the IRA by 64-slice MDCT enables noninvasive differentiation of angiographic TIMI flow grade 3 from TIMI flow grade ≤ 2 coronary reperfusion during the acute phase in patients with STEMI.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy in a patient with Graves' disease.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare life-threatening cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology that occurs during the peripartum period in previously healthy women. Autoimmune and viral factors have been suggested to be involved in PPCM. Here we describe a patient with Graves' disease, which is one of the organ-specific autoimmune diseases, who developed acute heart failure due to PPCM at 2 weeks after her first delivery. The patient recovered completely with conservative treatment for heart failure. An association between PPCM and Graves' disease has not been reported before. PPCM may be an organ-specific autoimmune disease, so the coexistence of other autoimmune diseases should be considered in PPCM patients.

Waon therapy improves the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: We developed a Waon therapy (soothing warm therapy) and have previously reported that repeated Waon therapy improves hemodynamics, peripheral vascular function, arrhythmias, and clinical symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Waon therapy on the prognosis of CHF patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 129 patients with CHF in NYHA functional class III or IV who were admitted to our hospital between January 1999 and March 2001. In the Waon therapy group, 64 patients were treated with a far infrared-ray dry sauna at 60 degrees C for 15 min and then kept on bed rest with a blanket for 30 min. The patients were treated daily for 5 days during admission, and then at least twice a week after discharge. In the control group, 65 patients, matched for age, gender, and NYHA functional class, were treated with traditional CHF therapy. The follow-up time was scheduled for 5 years. RESULTS: Recent, complete follow-up data on each patient were obtained. The overall survival rate was 84.5% (Kaplan-Meier estimate). Twelve patients died in the control group and 8 patients died in the Waon therapy group at 60 months of follow-up. Cardiac events due to heart failure or cardiac death occurred in 68.7% of the control group but only 31.3% of the Waon therapy group (P<0.01) at 60 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Waon therapy reduced cardiac events in patients with CHF. This therapy is a promising non-pharmacological treatment for CHF.

Limitation of angiography to identify the culprit plaque in acute myocardial infarction with coronary total occlusion utility of coronary plaque temperature measurement to identify the culprit plaque.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the maximal temperature (Tmax) site, as measured by thermal wire, coincides with the culprit plaque by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Subsequent thrombosis developing to the proximal region from the site of plaque rupture or erosion can potentially complicate the ability of coronary angiography to identify the accurate culprit plaque in patients with coronary total occlusion. METHODS: In 45 consecutive patients with a first anterior AMI, the Tmax site by thermal wire and the culprit plaque by IVUS were evaluated in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients had LAD total occlusion, and the remaining 20 had LAD reperfusion. In both groups of patients, the Tmax site was significantly more distal to the angiographically most stenotic site or occlusive site (reperfusion: mean distance [MD] = 1.1 mm distal, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3 to 1.9 mm, p = 0.01; total occlusion: MD = 8.8 mm distal, 95% CI 8.0 to 9.6 mm, p < 0.0001). The culprit plaques by IVUS approximately coincided with those by angiography or thermal wire in patients with reperfusion. However, the angiographic occlusive site was significantly more proximal to the culprit plaque by IVUS (MD = 9.2 mm, 95% CI 7.9 to 10.6 mm, p < 0.0001), but the Tmax site coincided with the culprit plaque by IVUS (MD = 0.3 mm distal, 95% CI 0.3 mm proximal to 1.0 mm distal, p = 0.293) in patients with total occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature measurement of coronary plaque enables accurate localization of the culprit plaque in AMI with coronary total occlusion.

Relationship between polymorphisms 804C/A and 252A/G of lymphotoxin-alpha gene and -308G/A of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene and diabetic retinopathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

To clarify whether polymorphisms of the lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) gene and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) gene were related to diabetic retinopathy (DR), we performed a case-control study in 251 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus participating in a multicenter research protocol. Genetic analyses were performed by using a fluorescent allele-specific DNA primer assay system. Diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed in a masked manner by an independent ophthalmologist using fundus photographs and was classified as nondiabetic retinopathy (NDR), nonproliferative retinopathy (NPDR), and proliferative retinopathy (PDR). The results showed that the genotype frequencies of 804C/A in exon 3 and 252A/G in intron 1 of the LTA gene were not significantly different among patients with NDR, NPDR, and PDR. A allelic frequency of the TNF-alpha gene (-302A/G in promoter) was also identical among NDR, NPDR, and PDR groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that significant associations with DR were glycosylated hemoglobin level and diabetes duration, but not polymorphisms of the LTA gene or TNF-alpha gene. In conclusion, the present study showed no association between polymorphisms 804C/A and 252A/G of the LTA gene and -302A/G of the TNF-alpha gene and DR in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.

Angiotensinogen gene polymorphism (Met235Thr) influences visceral obesity and insulin resistance in obese Japanese women.

To investigate the relationship between angiotensinogen (AGT) Met235Thr polymorphism (M235T) and human obesity, because AGT is regarded as one of the cytokines produced from adipocytes and serum AGT concentrations are reported to be positively correlated with body mass index. One hundred and twenty obese Japanese women (age, 58.8+/-9.4 years; body mass index, 32.2+/-4.9 kg/m(2)) were enrolled. Angiotensinogen genotypes were determined with a fluorescent allele-specific DNA primer assay system. Subjects were divided into M/M, M/T, and T/T groups. Control subjects comprised 146 healthy age-matched women. Clinical characteristics and the effects of diet and exercise therapy for 6 months were compared among the 3 genotypes. The genotype frequencies of AGT M235T polymorphism were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equation (obese: M/M, 6.7%; M/T, 27.5%; T/T, 65.8%; control: M/M, 6.8%; M/T, 21.2%; T/T, 71.9%). The frequency of the T allele did not differ between obese and control subjects (0.80 vs 0.83). As the number of obese women with M/M genotype was only 8, comparisons of the characteristics and outcomes of weight reduction therapy were performed only between subjects with M/T genotype and T/T genotype. In the T/T group, % body fat and waist circumference at baseline were significantly greater than in the M/T group (36.3%+/-4.8% vs 33.8%+/-4.7%, P=.0105; 107.9+/-10.9 vs 102.6+/-7.9 cm, P=.0428, respectively). Before the weight reduction therapy, significantly higher insulin and higher homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R) were demonstrated in the T/T group than in the M/T group (9.1+/-5.5 microU/mL vs 5.9+/-4.4 microU/mL, P=.0056; 2.3+/-1.4 vs 1.6+/-1.3, P=.0252, respectively). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure at baseline in the T/T group tended to be higher than those in the M/T group, but the differences were not significant. No genotype-dependent difference in energy expenditure or outcome of weight reduction therapy was observed with respect to AGT M235T polymorphism. After the diet and exercise therapy, the blood pressure in the T/T group tended to be higher than that in the M/T group, but the difference was not significant. We demonstrated that the T/T genotype of the AGT M235T gene polymorphism was positively related to visceral obesity and hyperinsulinemia in obese Japanese women. Blood pressure did not show genotype-specific differences before or after the treatment. Further studies of the association between obesity and this gene polymorphism should contribute to understanding and treating obesity-related diseases.