Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Infect Dis 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD USA.

Capsular polysaccharides have been confirmed to be an important virulence trait in many different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Similarly, they are proposed to be virulence traits in minimal Mycoplasma that cause disease in humans and animals. In this study, goats were infected with the caprine pathogen Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. Read More

Eur Neurol 2018 Dec 12;80(3-4):179-186. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Neurology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich,

Background: The approach to unconscious patients in the emergency department (ED) is difficult, often depends on local resources and interests, and workup strategies often lack standardization. One reason for this is that data on causes, management, and outcome of patients who present to the ED with sudden onset unconsciousness of unknown cause is limited.

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the causes of acute impaired consciousness in patients in an interdisciplinary ED. Read More

Stem Cell Reports 2018 Dec;11(6):1365-1377

Global Safety Pharmacology, Non-Clinical Safety, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have emerged as a promising cardiac safety platform, demonstrated by numerous validation studies using drugs with known cardiac adverse effects in humans. However, the challenge remains to implement hiPSC-CMs into cardiac de-risking of new chemical entities (NCEs) during preclinical drug development. Here, we used the calcium transient screening assay in hiPSC-CMs to develop a hazard score system for cardiac electrical liabilities. Read More

Cell Rep 2018 Dec;25(11):3099-3109.e3

Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore. Electronic address:

Inflammation-induced disappearance of tissue-resident macrophages represents a key pathogen defense mechanism. Using a model of systemic blood-stage malaria, we studied the dynamics of tissue-resident macrophages in multiple organs to determine how they are depleted and refilled during the course of disease. We show that Plasmodium infection results in a transient loss of embryonically established resident macrophages prior to the parasitemia peak. Read More

Orthopedics 2018 Dec 11:1-3. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Transient arterial injury is a common complication encountered in the management of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures, often presenting as a pulseless hand that appears well perfused, also known as the "pink, pulseless hand." Arterial injuries in pediatric humeral shaft fractures, on the other hand, are exceedingly rare, especially in closed fractures. The authors report a rare case of a humeral shaft fracture presenting as a pink, pulseless hand. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208110. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America.

The propensity for differentiation varies substantially across human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines, greatly restricting the use of hPSCs for cell replacement therapy or disease modeling. Here, we investigate the underlying mechanisms and demonstrate that activation of the retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway in a transient manner is important for differentiation. In prior work, we demonstrated that pre-treating hPSCs with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) before directed differentiation enhanced differentiation potential across all three germ layers. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0207904. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Centre of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India.

We examined the effect of language proficiency on the status and dynamics of proactive inhibitory control in an occulo-motor cued go-no-go task. The first experiment was designed to demonstrate the effect of second language proficiency on proactive inhibitory cost and adjustments in control by evaluating previous trial effects. This was achieved by introducing uncertainty about the upcoming event (go or no-go stimulus). Read More

Rev Gastroenterol Peru 2018 Jul-Sep;38(3):285-288

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Perú.

Ischemic Hepatitis is an uncommon entity in daily clinical practice with a prevalence of 0.16 to 0.5% among patients admitted to a critical care unit, associated with an approximate 60% mortality rate. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2018 Dec 12;24:9001-9006. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Radiology, Baoding First Central Hospital, Beijing, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND The present study was designed to evaluate the predictive value of head-neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) combined with ABCD2 score scale for patients with cerebral infarction of vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack (TIA). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 92 patients with TIA who were admitted to our hospital from January 2014 to June 2015 were enrolled in this study. ABCD2 score and CTA combined with ABCD2 score were assessed. Read More

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, SWBH and UHB NHS Trusts, Birmingham, UK.

Aim: Edoxaban, a nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant, is an oral factor Xa inhibitor approved for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with atrial fibrillation and for the treatment and secondary prevention in adult patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study details the design of the Edoxaban Treatment in routiNe clinical prActice for patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Europe (ETNA-AF-Europe) study - a postauthorization observational study, which is part of the postapproval plan for edoxaban agreed with the European Medicines Agency.

Methods: The ETNA-AF-Europe study (Clinicaltrials. Read More

Inorg Chem 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

School of Chemical Sciences , Dublin City University , Dublin 9 , Ireland.

[Ru(TAP)(dppz)] (TAP = 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene; dppz = dipyrido[3,2- a:2',3'- c]phenazine) is known to photo-oxidize guanine in DNA. Whether this oxidation proceeds by direct photoelectron transfer or by proton-coupled electron transfer is still unknown. To help distinguish between these mechanisms, spectro-electrochemical experiments have been carried out with [Ru(TAP)(dppz)] in acetonitrile. Read More

Inorg Chem 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Chemistry , University of Basel , St. Johanns-Ring 19 , 4056 Basel , Switzerland.

The distance dependences of electron-transfer rates ( k) in three homologous series of donor-bridge-acceptor compounds with reaction free energies (Δ G) of ca. -1.2, -1. Read More

J Refract Surg 2018 Dec;34(12):817-823

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of a new posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (IPCL; Care Group, Baroda, India) to correct myopia.

Methods: This prospective, observational case series included 30 eyes undergoing implantation of the IPCL for high myopia (> -8.00 diopters [D]). Read More

J Water Health 2018 Dec;16(6):1029-1032

Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7AD, UK E-mail: School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK and Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.

The frequency of seasonal snowfall results in the transient covering of gardens/amenity sites/open public spaces, which encourages recreational interaction mainly with children. No data is available demonstrating the microbiological composition of such fallen snow and therefore a study was undertaken to examine the microbiology of snow from 37 sites, estimating (i) total viable count (TVC), (ii) identification of bacteria, and (iii) the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mean TVC count of 8. Read More

Diabetes Ther 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.

Introduction: iGlarLixi is a titratable, fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine (100 units/mL) and lixisenatide (33 μg/mL). This review evaluates the overall safety and adverse event (AE) profile of iGlarLixi in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We collated patient-level data from the phase 2 LixiLan proof-of-concept trial and the phase 3 LixiLan-L (insulin-experienced patients) and LixiLan-O (insulin-naïve patients) trials to evaluate AEs associated with iGlarLixi. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1904:455-480

School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are currently the fastest growing class of therapeutic proteins. Parallel to full-length IgG format the development of recombinant technologies provided the production of smaller recombinant antibody variants. The single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody is a minimal form of functional antibody comprised of the variable domains of immunoglobulin light and heavy chains connected by a flexible linker. Read More

Plant Mol Biol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.

Key Message: Pp4ERF24 and Pp12ERF96 fine tune blue light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis via interacting with PpMYB114 and promoting the interaction between PpMYB114 and PpbHLH3, which enhances the expression of PpMYB114-induced PpUFGT. The red coloration of pear fruit is attributed to anthocyanin accumulation, which is transcriptionally regulated by the MYB-bHLH-WD40 complex. A number of ethylene response factors (ERF) have been identified to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in different plants. Read More

World J Surg 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Surgery, KUMC Thyroid Center, Korea University Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.

Background: Endoscopic transoral thyroidectomy is a recently introduced technique of remote access thyroidectomy. We previously reported the feasibility of the robotic approach (TORT). Nevertheless, experience to date is limited, with scant data on outcomes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Read More

Sci Adv 2018 Dec 7;4(12):eaau4869. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziądzka 5, PL-87-100 Toruń, Poland.

We report on the first Earth-scale quantum sensor network based on optical atomic clocks aimed at dark matter (DM) detection. Exploiting differences in the susceptibilities to the fine-structure constant of essential parts of an optical atomic clock, i.e. Read More

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2018 14;2018:7290170. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, China.

Thunb. var. (GJ) is a type of wild vegetable found in China and other Asian countries; it has been reported that its extracts possess a neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia reperfusion (CIR) injury. Read More

Front Physiol 2018 27;9:1680. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Human Research Program, Johnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, TX, United States.

The free-fall of orbital spaceflight effectively removes the gravitational vector used as a primary spatial orientation reference on Earth. Sustained absence of this reference drives adaptive changes in the internal perception-action models of the central nervous system (CNS), most notably in the processing of the vestibular otolith inputs. Upon landing, the return of the gravitational signal triggers a re-adaptation that restores terrestrial performance; however, during this period, the individual suffers from a functional vestibular deficiency. Read More

Int J Obes (Lond) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.

Background/objective: Adaptation to the extrauterine environment depends on a switch from glycolysis to catabolism of fatty acids (FA) provided as milk lipids. We sought to learn whether the postnatal induction of muscle FA oxidation in mice could reflect propensity to obesity and to characterize the mechanisms controlling this induction.

Methods: Experiments were conducted using obesity-resistant A/J and obesity-prone C57BL/6J (B6) mice maintained at 30 °C, from 5 to 28 days after birth. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Dec 11;8(1):17770. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Clinical Gene Therapy, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.

Although the regulation of post-ischemic inflammation is an important strategy to treat ischemic stroke, all clinical trials have failed to show its efficacy. To solve the problem, we previously developed a novel partial peptide of RANKL, microglial healing peptide 1 (MHP1), which could reduce ischemic injury by inhibiting Toll-like receptor (TLR) induced inflammation. However, optimization of the peptide was necessary to increase the stability and efficacies for clinical use. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 12 11;9(1):5284. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Group of Molecular Mechanotransduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany.

Desmosomes are intercellular adhesion complexes that connect the intermediate filament cytoskeletons of neighboring cells, and are essential for the mechanical integrity of mammalian tissues. Mutations in desmosomal proteins cause severe human pathologies including epithelial blistering and heart muscle dysfunction. However, direct evidence for their load-bearing nature is lacking. Read More

Sci Signal 2018 Dec 11;11(560). Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA.

Ischemic stroke, which is caused by a clot that blocks blood flow to the brain, can be severely disabling and sometimes fatal. We previously showed that transient focal ischemia in a rat model induces extensive temporal changes in the expression of cerebral microRNAs, with a sustained decrease in the abundance of miR-7a-5p (miR-7). Here, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a miR-7 mimic oligonucleotide after cerebral ischemia in rodents according to the Stroke Treatment Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) criteria. Read More

Biosci Rep 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea (South), Republic of

The tetracycline repressor (TetR)-regulated system is a widely used tool to study gene functions through control of its expression. Various effectors such as tetracycline (Tc) and doxycycline (Dox) quickly induce or shut down gene expression, but reversing gene expression has not been eligible due to long half-lives of such effectors. Here, we found that procaspase activating compound 1 (PAC-1) rapidly reduces transient expression of TetR-regulated green fluorescent protein (GFP) in mammalian cells. Read More

Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States. Electronic address:

The transient receptor potential cation channel 5 (TRPC5) has been previously shown to affect podocyte survival in the kidney. As such, inhibitors of TRPC5 are interesting candidates for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Herein, we report the synthesis and biological characterization of a series of N-heterocyclic-1-benzyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-amines as selective TRPC5 inhibitors. Read More

BMC Biotechnol 2018 Dec 11;18(1):77. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, 6503200115084, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa.

Background: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), the causative agent of Rift Valley fever, is an enveloped single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus in the genus Phlebovirus, family Bunyaviridae. The virus is spread by infected mosquitoes and affects ruminants and humans, causing abortion storms in pregnant ruminants, high neonatal mortality in animals, and morbidity and occasional fatalities in humans. The disease is endemic in parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, but is described as emerging due to the wide range of mosquitoes that could spread the disease into non-endemic regions. Read More

Chronic Illn 2018 Dec 11:1742395318815954. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

1 Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Objectives: Due to a growing population with both cancer and chronic diseases, we explored patients' experiences of living with a cancer diagnosis and comorbidities, the possible effects on everyday living and management of comorbidities.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted during 2016 with 15 patients in Denmark, with finished cancer treatment and preexisting comorbidities. Analysis was performed by Systematic Text Condensation. Read More

Langmuir 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

While the surface of many ceramic particles is covered by positive and negative species, boron nitride displays no charge on surface. Nevertheless, the interest in boron nitride is rising: Little materials combine electrical insulation and high thermal conductivity; both properties are required for many applications, for instance in electronic devices and sensors. Hydroxyl (-OH) groups are usually created onto the surface to increase the hydrophilicity of particles. Read More

J Am Chem Soc 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TiO was performed in tandem with in-situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to monitor changes in the transient surface species across multiple ALD cycles. A self-assembled monolayer of 3-mercaptopropionic acid was used as a capture agent, to ensure that nucleation of the titanium precursor (titanium tetraisopropoxide [TTIP]) occurs. Comparisons between the Raman spectra of the neat precursor and the SER spectra of the 1 ALD cycle of TiO reveal typical ligand exchange chemistry taking place, with self-limiting behavior and intact isopropoxide ligands. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2013 Nov 2;8(5):164-167. Epub 2013 Oct 2.

Cardiology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara, Italy.

The present case describes a patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) who reported several ICD inappropriate discharges due to transient T-wave oversensing in the setting of acute hyperkalemia. T-wave oversensing was detected only at telemetry interrogation while T-wave amplitude at surface 12-lead electrocardiogram was normal. Oversensing was abolished by reducing potassium levels and by device reprogramming. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2015 Jul 25;12(1):12-15. Epub 2015 Apr 25.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine, Kars, Turkey.

Thromboembolic complications following heart valve replacements are rare but a severe situation. Cerebral infarcts, transient neurologic deficits, and cardiac arrest due to stuck prostheses are among possible critical outcomes. Diagnosis and appropriate treatment should be initiated rapidly. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2014 Jul 10;10(1):1-3. Epub 2014 May 10.

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan.

Left ventricular (LV) thrombus after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a frequent complication that is associated with a risk of systemic embolism. Essential thrombocythemia (ET) has opposing tendencies towards hemorrhage and thrombogenesis and it can cause AMI via thrombogenesis. Ball-like LV thrombus is associated with a high risk of systemic embolism. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2013 Jun 25;7(6):e173-e175. Epub 2013 Mar 25.

Department of Cardiology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dayton, OH, USA.

Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness due to cerebral hypoperfusion characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and spontaneous complete recovery. Numerous causes of syncope have been described. Vasovagal syncope is the most common with a number of precipitants. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2013 Apr 17;7(4):e104-e108. Epub 2013 Jan 17.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, No. 699, Sec. 1, Chungchi Rd., Wuchi, Taichung 43503, Taiwan.

Stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) is a syndrome of transient cardiac abnormalities precipitated by intense emotional or physical stress. Differentiating SCM from acute myocardial infarction is often difficult but vital to avoid subjecting SCM patients to unnecessary reperfusion therapy and invasive coronary angiography. For accurate diagnosis, it is important that physicians be familiar with the current diagnostic criteria, most susceptible populations, and typical triggers for SCM. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2013 Apr 1;7(4):e93-e96. Epub 2012 Dec 1.

Department of Cardiology, Bayindir Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN 2) is a hereditary syndrome associated with medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma (PCC), and hyperparathyroidism. PCCs in patients with MEN 2 are usually found in the adrenals after the manifestation of medullary thyroid cancer and are commonly bilateral and hormonally active. Unfortunately, a diagnosis of MEN 2 or PCC often is delayed until after the patient has developed an advanced MEN 2-related tumor. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2012 Nov 15;6(5):e130-e132. Epub 2012 Jun 15.

Department of Medicine, Georgia Health Sciences University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.

Background: Prinzmetal's angina is characterized by a transient reduction in luminal diameter of a coronary artery resulting in spontaneous and often recurrent episodes of angina with electrocardiography (ECG) findings consistent with ST elevation.

Case Report: A 67-year-old male presented with complaint of intermittent chest discomfort during the previous 2-3 weeks. ECG obtained at presentation was consistent with ST elevation in inferior leads. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2012 Oct 6;6(4):e112-e115. Epub 2012 Jul 6.

Sanford Hospital, University of South Dakota Medical Center, 1305 West 18th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57117, USA.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient systolic ballooning of apical or mid segments of the left ventricle (LV) mimicking acute myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease. Recurrences remain rare and most recurrence case reports are about apical ballooning or typical Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We present a rare case of recurrence in mid ventricular ballooning or atypical variant of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2012 Sep 14;6(3):e78-e80. Epub 2012 Jun 14.

Cardiovascular Division, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an infrequent cause of acute myocardial ischemia and is associated with various pathophysiologies, such as pregnancy, postpartum, and collagen diseases. It is frequently fatal and most cases are diagnosed at autopsy. Therefore, the early diagnosis of SCAD and initiation of treatment may be life saving. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2012 Sep 6;6(3):e70-e74. Epub 2012 Jun 6.

Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine II, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan.

Although some atypical types of transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome have been reported, only a few atypical types of transient mid-ventricular ballooning have been reported. A 70-year-old female underwent surgery for urothelial carcinoma. At day 5 after the surgery, she was admitted to our department without cardiac symptoms because of ST elevation in leads I, II, III, aVF and V1-V6 indicating acute coronary syndrome. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2012 Jun 3;5(3):e133-e136. Epub 2012 Apr 3.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Integrated Medicine I, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.

Acute type A aortic dissection occasionally involves coronary orifice which may lead to fatal myocardial infarction. We present a case with acute type A aortic dissection developing transient hemodynamic collapsing despite emergent surgical ascending aortic repair. Electrocardiogram after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation suggested myocardial ischemia. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2012 Apr 9;5(2):e125-e127. Epub 2012 Feb 9.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Transient ischemic neurological deficits following intravenous dipyridamole administration during pharmacological cardiac stress test are seldom reported, but there can be serious vascular complications. We report a case of a 58-year-old Caucasian male who developed expressive aphasia after dipyridamole infusion during an elective dipyridamole-technetium cardiac stress test performed for chest pain. Computed tomography angiogram of the neck revealed a known total occlusion of the right internal carotid artery and 50% stenosis of the left internal carotid artery. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2011 Oct 11;4(2):e110-e114. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

Division of Cardiology, Hokkaido Chuo Rosai Hospital, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, Japan.

A 42-year-old man with a more than 10-year history of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, but no history of heart failure or syncope, had left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOT-PG) of 50-80 mmHg on Doppler echocardiography. In June 2010, he experienced general malaise on effort, and LVOT-PG increased to 124 mmHg. Two months later, he suffered a transient ischemic attack, complicated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2011 Oct 9;4(2):e71-e75. Epub 2011 Aug 9.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto City, Japan.

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient left ventricular contractile dysfunction. The precise etiology of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy remains to be elucidated. We performed coronary angiography in two patients with tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy and evaluated the coronary microcirculation by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2011 Jun 6;3(3):e167-e169. Epub 2011 Apr 6.

Department of Cardiology, CHU Timone, Rue St Pierre, Marseille 13005, France.

Regarding the risk of atrioventricular block during the first days following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), temporary pacing is required. Conventional transfemoral temporary pacing catheters have several drawbacks including the risk of cardiac perforation, infection, and the absence of any fixation mechanism. We describe a case of TAVI procedure with safer temporary pacing, using subclavicular active-fixation pacemaker electrode and external generator. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2011 Jun 27;3(3):e154-e158. Epub 2011 Mar 27.

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.

Left apical ballooning syndrome, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction is increasingly recognized worldwide. Predominantly affecting females, this condition mimics myocardial infarction and often occurs in the setting of emotional or physical stress. We report the case of a 77-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital for complete heart block and developed TTC after pacemaker implantation. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2011 Apr 18;3(2):e78-e81. Epub 2011 Feb 18.

Division of Cardiology, Niigata University School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.

infection, although commonly seen as pneumonia, can also manifest systemic involvement. Here, we describe a case of sporadic infection coinciding with pneumonia, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, and severe left ventricular dysfunction, which subsequently developed refractory septic shock. An endomyocardial biopsy revealed no findings of interstitial inflammatory infiltrates. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2011 Feb 1;3(1):e33-e36. Epub 2011 Feb 1.

Division of Cardiology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) often accompanies cardiac abnormalities. Sudden cardiac arrest is also known to occur after SAH. A 32-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of cardiac arrest immediately after the onset of SAH. Read More