Deeper S Wave in Lead V5 and Broader Extent of T Wave Inversions in the Precordial Leads are Clinically Useful Electrocardiographic Parameters for Predicting Pulmonary Hypertension.

Electrocardiography (ECG) is used to screen for pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, it is unclear which parameters of ECG are the most useful for screening.ECG parameters related to right ventricular hypertrophy criteria were examined in 145 ECGs of subjects who were suspected to have PH and underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) (age 58.4 ± 17.5 years, 112 women, mean pulmonary arterial pressure [MPAP] 35.4 ± 13.3 mmHg). Based on the results of RHC, 108 subjects had PH (56 pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH] and 52 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension [CTEPH]).Fourteen of 17 ECG parameters in the present study were significantly associated with PH on univariate analysis. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, S wave depth in lead V5 (odds ratio [OR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.47) and depth of T wave inversion in lead V4 (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.03-1.46) were independent predictors of MPAP ≥ 25 mmHg, and the cut-off values determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were 0.42 mV and -0.28 mV, respectively.In conclusion, a deeper S wave in lead V5 and the presence of a wider extent of negative T waves in the precordial leads may be clinically simple and useful ECG parameters for screening for PH.

iMap-Intravascular Ultrasound Radiofrequency Signal Analysis Reflects Plaque Components of Optical Coherence Tomography-Derived Thin-Cap Fibroatheroma.

BACKGROUND: The ability of iMap-intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) tissue characterization to detect thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) identified on optical coherence tomography (OCT) has not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 86 coronary lesions from 73 patients with stable angina pectoris using iMap-IVUS and OCT. We defined OCT-derived TCFA (OCT-TCFA) as lipid-rich plaque with a <65-µm-thick fibrous cap. The external elastic membrane (EEM) cross-sectional area (CSA), lumen CSA, plaque plus media (P+M) CSA, plaque burden and remodeling index were measured on gray-scale IVUS. Plaque components categorized on iMap-IVUS as fibrotic, lipidic, necrotic or calcified are presented as absolute area and proportion (%) of total plaque area. OCT-TCFA (22 lesions) had significantly greater EEM CSA, P+M CSA, plaque burden and remodeling index than non-TCFA (64 lesions). Significantly larger %necrotic area, absolute lipidic and necrotic areas and smaller %fibrotic areas were found in OCT-TCFA than in non-TCFA. On multivariate analysis, absolute necrotic area was an independent predictor of OCT-TCFA. The area under the ROC curve for absolute necrotic area required to identify OCT-TCFA was 0.86. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of absolute necrotic area ≥7.3 mm2 for identifying OCT-TCFA were 77%, 88%, 68% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary lesions with greater iMap-IVUS absolute necrotic area were closely associated with OCT-TCFA.

Age estimation by quantitative features of pubic symphysis using multidetector computed tomography.

Macroscopic assessment of the pubic symphysis is commonly used for age estimation because its surface changes over time. However, postmortem computed tomography (PMCT), a method several forensic medical departments and institutes have begun to adopt, has the potential to simplify the information gathering process from the pelvic bone without requiring soft tissue removal. Some studies have previously evaluated the use of three-dimensional images of the pubic symphysis, but because of variance in the graphics processing among image analysis software packages, certain differences have been observed between these studies. Therefore, in this study, the PMCT findings of 199 subjects of known age and sex were retrospectively reviewed to examine the feasibility of age estimation using planar images of the pubic bones and soft tissue. The coronal and axial sectional images were observed at the center of the symphyseal surface, and the pubic bone length and thickness of the connective tissue of the pubic symphysis were measured at each slice. Our results revealed a significant positive correlation between the length of the pubic bone of the coronal section and age, suggesting that the use of a cutoff value for pubic bone length might be feasible for age estimations. In addition, the thickness of the connective tissue tended to narrow over time. Although the prediction interval range of planar images obtained by PMCT was major and is not usable in practice at this moment, it may still be a useful tool if used in conjunction with other findings obtained by PMCT.

The expression of repulsive guidance molecule a after traumatic brain injury: Time-course changes in gene expression in a murine model of controlled cortical impact.

INTRODUCTION: Repulsive guidance molecule a (RGMa) is a key protein that negatively regulates neuronal regeneration as its inhibition enhances axonal growth and promotes functional recovery in animal models of spinal cord injury. However, the role of RGMa in traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains elusive. This study aimed to clarify TBI-responsive RGMa expression in a murine model. METHODS: Adult male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to controlled cortical impact. Brains were extracted 6 hours and 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after injury (n = 6 in each group). Changes in the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of RGMa and its receptor, neogenin, were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in the damaged area of the cortex and contralateral cortex, along with expression measurement of inflammation-related molecules. Neurological deficit was also assessed by the cylinder test. RESULTS: Neurological score was consistently lower in the TBI group compared to the sham group throughout the experimental period. The mRNA expressions of representative inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and chemokine receptor CCR2 were remarkably increased in the injured cortex on day 1 and gradually decreased over time, although remaining at higher values at least until day 14. The mRNA expressions of RGMa and neogenin were significantly suppressed in the damaged cortex until day 3. Interestingly, RGMa expression was suppressed most on day 1 and recovered over time. CONCLUSION: In the acute phase of TBI, gene expression of inflammatory cytokines significantly increased, and gene expressions of RGMa and neogenin significantly decreased in the inflammatory milieu of the damaged area. Despite the subsequent remission of inflammation, RGMa gene expression recovered to the normal level 1 week after TBI. Intrinsic regenerative response to acute brain injury might be hampered by the following recovery of RGMa expression, hinting at the possibility of functional RGMa inhibition as a new, effective maneuver against TBI.

The Histological Features of a Myocardial Biopsy Specimen in a Patient in the Acute Phase of Reversible Catecholamine-induced Cardiomyopathy due to Pheochromocytoma.

A 63-year-old Japanese woman with an adrenal tumor was transferred to our hospital due to cardiogenic shock. Right and left ventriculography showed severe hypokinesis of the middle segment and the apex in both ventricles, and an endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated a small number of necrotic myocytes and cellular infiltration. She was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma and quickly recovered after treatment with an α-blocker. The functional disability of both the right and left ventricles with less myocardial damage due to an excessive level of catecholamine seemed to be related to the early recovery the present patient with catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy due to pheochromocytoma.

Quantitative estimation of interaction between carbohydrates and concanavalin A by surface plasmon resonance biosensor.

We measured the affinity of more than 20 sugars with concanavalin A (ConA) by an optical biosensor (surface plasmon resonance sensor) using asialofetuin (ASF) as an immobilized binding partner of ConA. We determined kinetic parameters of the effects of sugars on the dissociation of ConA from ASF quantitatively, and the structural requirements of the functional groups of sugars for binding with ConA. We found that the affinity of ConA for sugars is dependent on its conformation induced by interaction with the binding partner. In addition, the results showed that optical biosensor system is well mimics the interaction of ConA with sugars in biomembrane.