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Background Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Various factors predispose individuals to SCAD, including coronary vasospasm, which has been identified in some studies as a related factor. Case summary We present a series of three cases of ACS attributed to SCAD. Two cases involved early de novo recurrence potentially related to coronary spasm, and one case involved iatrogenic coronary artery dissection during a spasm provocation test. Discussion High recurrence rates of SCAD within 30 days of the initial event have been observed, although the effectiveness of pharmacologic therapy has not been conclusively established. While the administration of beta-blockers has been associated with a reduced risk of SCAD recurrence, their use may not be desirable in patients with coronary vasospasm. Detailed evaluations may be beneficial for patients where coronary vasospasm is suspected to tailor appropriate treatment strategies. Moreover, given the higher frequency of iatrogenic coronary artery dissection among patients with SCAD, careful consideration is needed to avoid high-risk periods when scheduling spasm provocation tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which is caused by wide various conditions, has become a major public health problem. Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR‐CM), which is thought to be an underdiagnosed disease, can cause HFpEF. Non‐invasive diagnosis using 99mTechnetium (Tc)‐pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy enables accurate diagnosis of ATTR‐CM. The aim of this study was to clarify the prevalence and characteristics of ATTR‐CM among Japanese patients with HFpEF. Methods and results: This study was a multicentre, prospective, observational study conducted in Japan. We enrolled 373 patients with HFpEF [left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≥50%] aged ≥65 years who were admitted to the department of cardiology from September 2018 to January 2022. A 99mTc‐PYP scintigraphy scan was performed during admission in all eligible patients. Cardiac 99mTc‐PYP retention was graded according to a previously reported visual scale ranging from 0 to 3 points. The scan was considered positive when it revealed moderate‐to‐severe 99mTc‐PYP uptake (Grade 2–3) in both ventricles. Patients were divided into ATTR‐CM and non‐ATTR‐CM patients according to positive (Grade 2–3) or negative (Grade 0–1) 99mTc‐PYP scintigraphy, respectively. Medical history, blood tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging in the two groups of patients were compared. Among the 373 patients with HFpEF, 53 patients (14.2%; 95% confidence interval: 10.7–17.7) showed positive uptake on 99mTc‐PYP scintigraphy. An endomyocardial biopsy was performed in 32 patients and confirmed amyloidosis in all cases. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, severity of heart failure as assessed by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, renal function values, left ventricular ejection fraction, and tricuspid regurgitant pressure gradient (ATTR‐CM, n = 53 vs. non‐ATTR‐CM, n = 320). Patients in the ATTR‐CM group had a higher N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide level [2314 (1081–3398) vs. 900 (415–1828), P < 0.001], higher sensitive troponin T level (0.074 ± 0.049 vs. 0.035 ± 0.038, P < 0.001), and higher mean LV maximal wall thickness [12.5 (11–14) vs. 10.5 (9.5–11.5), P < 0.001]. Conclusions: ATTR‐CM is an underdiagnosed disease with a significant prevalence in Japanese patients with HFpEF. This study showed that results of examinations for ATTR‐CM patients appear to be worse than those for non‐ATTR‐CM patients, but clinical severities of heart failure as assessed by the NYHA functional classification are similar in ATTR‐CM and non‐ATTR‐CM patients, and the clinical overlap between ATTR‐CM and non‐ATTR‐CM is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors could reduce cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure irrespective of diabetes status. In this prespecified sub-analysis of randomised-controlled trial, we investigated the efficacy of luseogliflozin (2.5 mg daily), a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, with that of voglibose (0.6 mg daily), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on high-risk lipid profile and inflammatory markers in patients with type-2 diabetes and heart failure. Among the 157 patients studied, there were no significant differences in the mean malondialdehyde LDL or small-dense LDL cholesterol levels between the luseogliflozin and voglibose groups (percent change: 0.2% vs. − 0.6%, p = 0.93; − 1.7% vs. − 8.6%, p = 0.21) after 12 weeks in comparison to levels at the baseline. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels after 12 weeks compared to the baseline levels (percent change, − 1.6% vs. − 4.0% and 22.5% vs. 10.0%; p = 0.52 and p = 0.55, respectively). In conclusion, in patients with type-2 diabetes and heart failure, compared to voglibose, luseogliflozin did not significantly improve the high-risk lipoprotein profile including malondialdehyde LDL and small-dense LDL cholesterol or the levels of inflammatory markers, including adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Trial registration: Trial number: UMIN-CTR, UMIN000018395; Registered 23 July 2015; URL: . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors have diuretic effects in both patients with glycosuria and with natriuresis. We sought to assess the effect of luseogliflozin on estimated plasma volume (ePV) in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and results: This study was a post‐hoc analysis of the MUSCAT‐HF trial (UMIN000018395), a multicentre, prospective, open‐label, randomized controlled trial that assessed the effect of 12 weeks of luseogliflozin (2.5 mg, once daily, n = 83) as compared with voglibose (0.2 mg, three times daily, n = 82) on the reduction in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF. The analysis compared the change in ePV calculated by the Straus formula from baseline to Weeks 4, 12, and 24, using a mixed‐effects model for repeated measures. We also estimated the association between changes in ePV and changes in other clinical parameters, including BNP levels. Luseogliflozin significantly reduced ePV as compared to voglibose at Week 4 {adjusted mean group‐difference −6.43% [95% confidence interval (CI): −9.11 to −3.74]}, at Week 12 [−8.73% (95%CI: −11.40 to −6.05)], and at Week 24 [−11.02% (95%CI: −13.71 to −8.33)]. The effect of luseogliflozin on these parameters was mostly consistent across various patient clinical characteristics. The change in ePV at Week 12 was significantly associated with log‐transformed BNP (r = 0.197, P = 0.015) and left atrial volume index (r = 0.283, P = 0.019). Conclusions: Luseogliflozin significantly reduced ePV in patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF, as compared with voglibose. The reduction of intravascular volume by luseogliflozin may provide clinical benefits to patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature superconducting MRI magnets are usually cooled by a large amount of liquid helium (LHe); however, LHe is getting scarcer and its price has been rising. Therefore, the development of helium free high-temperature superconducting (HTS)-MRI magnet is expected. HTS-MRI magnet fabricated by REBCO tape superconductors has mainly two problems for producing a highly stabilized magnetic field for MRI imaging. One problem is current fluctuation of a power supply, which is necessary for excitation because the permanent current operation of HTS-MRI magnet is difficult. Another is a screening current in REBCO tapes, which affect the magnetic field stability. The MRI magnetic field feedback control test was carried out, that is, the overshooting and the current feedback control, using 32 H HTS-MRI test magnet and the highly stabilized power supply. The magnetic field was evaluated under the current feedback control at 1.5 T (66 A). By the overshooting and the current feedback control, the magnetic field stability was improved to \text0.7 ppm/ h which is enough for MRI imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article describes the synthesis of soymorphins, µ opioid peptides derived from soy β-conglycinin β-subunit. The peptides exhibited opioid activity more potently than did human β-casoorphins on guinea pig ileum (GPI) assay. On mouse vas deferens assay, their opioid activities were less potent than on GPI assay, suggesting that they are selective for the µ opioid receptor.

Influence of age on parathyroid hormone secretion and release was studied in vitro using rat parathyroid glands in culture and in vivo by EDTA injection. Parathyroid hormone was measured by radioimmunoassay using guinea pig antibody for bovine parathyroid hormone and I-labeled synthetic N-terminal peptide of bovine parathyroid hormone. Significantly less PTH was released from parathyroid glands of 18-mo-old rats than from those of 1 mo of age at various calcium concentrations of the medium in . Secretion of parathyroid hormone in response to EDTA-induced hypocalcemia in vivo was also less in older rats than in younger ones, giving lower ΔPTH/ΔCA values in the older animal. Secretion of parathyroid hormone therefore appears to decrease along with aging in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]