Search

• Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy patients benefit from the Hybrid Assistive Limb. • Long-term Hybrid Assistive Limb treatment showed good outcomes. • The mean walking distance in the 2-minute walk test significantly improved. • Exercise training can be continued without deterioration of the quality of life. • Maintaining long-term gait function can be supported with exercise training. Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) progressively impairs gait function, resulting in the need for patients to use a wheelchair approximately 20 years after onset. No reports have investigated the effects of long-term exercise training using the Hybrid Assisted Limb (HAL) in patients with multiple SBMA. This study investigated the effects of long-term exercise training using HAL in patients with SBMA and its effects on the quality of life (QoL). Six courses of HAL treatment were administered to three males with SBMA, and leuprorelin was administered to each patient. Each course had a 4–5 week duration, during which the treatment was performed nine times, with a rest period of at least 2 months between each course. A 2-minute walk test (2MWT) and a 10-m walk test (10MWT) were performed to measure gait ability, and a blood test to measure the serum creatine kinase (CK) and creatinine (CRE) levels was performed before and after each course of treatment. We evaluated QoL using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The average 2MWT distance improved over 2 years (p = 0.038), and the 10MWT showed neither improvement nor decline. No increase or decrease in serum CK or CRE levels was observed. There were no significant changes in the SF-36 physical, mental, or social summary scores. In combination with leuprorelin therapy, robot-assisted training using HAL maintained gait ability and QoL in patients with SBMA for 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous trials suggested the superiority of ultrathin- over thin-strut drug-eluting stents (DES) concerning target lesion failure (TLF) at 1 year after index percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of this randomized comparison study of ultrathin-strut and thin-strut DES (CASTLE [Randomized Comparison All-Comer Study of Ultrathin Strut and Thin Strut Drug-Eluting Stent]; jRCTs032180084) was to examine the impact of differences in strut thickness of DES on clinical outcomes when implanted with angiography and intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomographic guidance. CASTLE was a multicenter, prospective, noninferiority study conducted at 65 institutions in Japan. Percutaneous coronary intervention patients were assigned (1:1) to an ultrathin, biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) or a thin, durable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (DP-EES). The primary endpoint was TLF, defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel–related myocardial infarction, and clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 1-year follow-up. Between May 2019 and March 2020, 1,440 patients were randomly assigned to BP-SES (n = 722) or DP-EES (n = 718). TLF occurred in 6.0% and 5.7% of patients, respectively. Noninferiority (P = 0.040) was met because the upper limit (2.67%) of the 1-sided 95% CI between the groups was lower than the prespecified noninferiority margin (3.3%). No significant interactions were observed in the relative rates of TLF between prespecified subgroups. The BP-SES was noninferior to the DP-EES regarding 1-year TLF. This demonstrates that strut thickness differences among DES have little impact on clinical outcomes when implanted with intravascular imaging guidance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical significance of a family history (FH) of colorectal cancer (CRC) in first-degree relatives (FDRs) in CRC screening stratified by different age groups of screened individuals is not fully understood. We investigated the relationship between FH and the presence of advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) in screened individuals in different age groups. Data from screened individuals aged 40 to 54 years (n = 2263) and 55 to 69 years (n = 2621) who underwent their first-ever screening colonoscopy were analyzed. The relationship between FH and ACN was examined, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis incorporating other baseline characteristics was performed. Among individuals aged 40 to 54 years, the prevalence of ACN was significantly higher in 249 individuals with affected FDRs than in those without (5.6% vs 1.6%; P <.01), with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.9-7.0; P <.01); the prevalence was particularly high in those having FDRs with CRC mortality (7.3%). Among individuals aged 55 to 69 years, the prevalence of ACN was not significantly different between 291 individuals with affected FDRs and those without (5.8% vs 5.8%; P =.95); however, individuals with 2 FDRs with CRC and mortality showed a high prevalence of ACN (17.4% and 42.9%, respectively). An FH of CRC in FDRs was associated with a higher prevalence of ACN in younger individuals, with a particularly high impact of FH of CRC mortality. In contrast, the impact of FH was weaker in older individuals except those having 2 FDRs with CRC or mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, no regional evidence of long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) risk reduction after endoscopic premalignant lesion removal has been established. We aimed to analyze this over a long-term follow-up evaluation. This was a prospective cohort study of participants from the Japan Polyp Study conducted at 11 Japanese institutions. Participants underwent scheduled follow-up colonoscopies after a 2-round baseline colonoscopy process. The primary outcome was CRC incidence after randomization. The observed/expected ratio of CRC was calculated using data from the population-based Osaka Cancer Registry. Secondary outcomes were the incidence and characteristics of advanced neoplasia (AN). A total of 1895 participants were analyzed. The mean number of follow-up colonoscopies and the median follow-up period were 2.8 years (range, 1–15 y) and 6.1 years (range, 0.8–11.9 y; 11,559.5 person-years), respectively. Overall, 4 patients (all males) developed CRCs during the study period. The observed/expected ratios for CRC in all participants, males, and females, were as follows: 0.14 (86% reduction), 0.18, and 0, respectively, and 77 ANs were detected in 71 patients (6.1 per 1000 person-years). Of the 77 ANs detected, 31 lesions (40.3%) were laterally spreading tumors, nongranular type. Nonpolypoid colorectal neoplasms (NP-CRNs), including flat (<10 mm), depressed, and laterally spreading, accounted for 59.7% of all detected ANs. Furthermore, 2 of the 4 CRCs corresponded to T1 NP-CRNs. Endoscopic removal of premalignant lesions, including NP-CRNs, effectively reduced CRC risk. More than half of metachronous ANs removed by surveillance colonoscopy were NP-CRNs. The Japan Polyp Study: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry, C000000058; cohort study: UMIN000040731. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Magnifying narrow-band imaging (mag-NBI) and magnifying chromoendoscopy using crystal violet staining for pit pattern analysis (pit pattern) is highly accurate for diagnosing invasion depth of superficial colorectal neoplasms. However, NBI and pit pattern have not been compared. Methods We conducted an online survey of endoscopists interested in image-enhanced endoscopy. Still images using white light, mag-NBI, and pit pattern were collected from lesions diagnosed at the National Cancer Center Hospital (NCCH), Tokyo, Japan. Sixty endoscopists from outside NCCH who typically use magnifying endoscopy were recruited for this survey. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis based on a calculation of the area under the ROC curve. Results One hundred early colorectal neoplasms were selected for this survey. Histopathology revealed that, although 67 of the lesions had high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma with superficial submucosal (SM-s) invasion, the other 33 lesions had a carcinoma with deep submucosal invasion (SM-d). Comparing the area under the ROC curve from mag-NBI with that of pit pattern, the latter showed significantly higher diagnostic accuracy for depth invasion (0.83 [95% CI, 0.81-0.85] for mag-NBI, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.85-0.89] for pit pattern, P = .013). Conclusions Pit pattern should be the first choice for diagnosing invasion depth as the most reliable modality rather than mag-NBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To cut down aeration power for nitrification, we constructed a biological nitrification-denitrification process with a trickling filter for nitrification and an anaerobic biological filter for denitrification. The influences of temperature and chemical oxygen demand (COD) loading on the nitrification and denitrification performance of the process are discussed in this paper through experimental and empirical modeling approaches. The model constants were determined by the experimental data of the process using municipal wastewater in Ryukoku University. Then, the influences of temperature and COD loading were estimated by the model. The COD levels required for NO-N removal depended on both, the temperature and influent COD/NO-N ratio. A lower temperature and higher influent COD/NO-N ratio increased the COD requirement, because of the different responses between denitrifying bacteria and heterotrophic bacteria against temperature, COD, and NO-N concentrations. In addition, our experimental system could satisfy the Japanese effluent standard at temperatures higher than 12 °C. The dissolved nitrogen (DN) concentration in the final effluent was more strongly affected by the NH-N discharged from the trickling filter than it was by the residual NO-N in the effluent from the denitrification tank. Therefore, the enhancement of the nitrification efficiency in the trickling filter was inferred to enhance the nitrogen removal efficiency. To prevent a low nitrogen removal efficiency at temperatures lower than 15 °C, it was necessary to set the low hydraulic loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No large-scale, longitudinal studies have examined the combined effects of blood pressure (BP) and total cholesterol levels on long-term risks for subtypes of cardiovascular death in an Asian population. To investigate these relationships, a meta-analysis of individual participant data, which included 73 916 Japanese subjects (age, 57.7 years; men, 41.1%) from 11 cohorts, was conducted. During a mean follow-up of 15.0 years, deaths from coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and intraparenchymal hemorrhage occurred in 770, 724, and 345 cases, respectively. Cohort-stratified Cox proportional hazard models were used. After stratifying the participants by 4 systolic BP ×4 total cholesterol categories, the group with systolic BP ≥160 mm Hg with total cholesterol ≥5.7 mmol/L had the greatest risk for coronary heart disease death (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.39; P<0.0001 versus group with systolic BP <120 mm Hg and total cholesterol <4.7 mmol/L). The adjusted hazard ratios of systolic BP (per 20 mm Hg) increased with increases in total cholesterol categories (hazard ratio, 1.52; P<0.0001 in group with total cholesterol ≥5.7 mmol/L). Similarly, the adjusted hazard ratios of total cholesterol increased with increases in systolic BP categories (P for interaction ≤0.04). Systolic BP was positively associated with ischemic stroke and intraparenchymal hemorrhage death, and total cholesterol was inversely associated with intraparenchymal hemorrhage, but no significant interactions between BP and total cholesterol were observed for stroke. High BP and high total cholesterol can synergistically increase the risk for coronary heart disease death but not for stroke in the Asian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the cardiovascular mortality risk in association with blood pressure level among people with and without antihypertensive treatment, we performed the participant-level meta-analysis that included 39,705 Japanese from 6 cohorts (58.4% women; mean age, 60.1 years; 20.4% treated). Multivariable-adjusted Cox models were used to analyze the risk of cardiovascular mortality and its subtypes among 6 blood pressure levels according to recent guidelines, optimal to Grade 3 hypertension, and the usage of antihypertensive medication at baseline. During median 10.0 years of follow-up, there were 2032 cardiovascular deaths (5.1 per 1000 person-years), of which 410 deaths were coronary heart disease, 371 were heart failure, and 903 deaths were stroke. Treated participants had significantly higher risk for cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratios, 1.50; 95% confidence intervals, 1.36-1.66), coronary heart disease (hazard ratios, 1.53; confidence intervals, 1.23-1.90), heart failure (hazard ratios, 1.39; confidence intervals, 1.09-1.76), and stroke (hazard ratios, 1.48; confidence intervals, 1.28-1.72) compared with untreated people. Among untreated participants, the risks increased linearly with an increment of blood pressure category (P≤0.011). The risk increments per blood pressure category were higher in young participants (<60 years; 22% to 79%) than those in old people (≥60 years; 7% to 15%) with significant interaction for total cardiovascular, heart failure, and stroke mortality (P≤0.026). Among treated participants, the significant linear association was also observed for cardiovascular mortality (P=0.0003), whereas no stepwise increase in stroke death was observed (P=0.19). The risks of cardiovascular mortality were ≈1.5-fold high in participants under antihypertensive medication. More attention should be paid to the residual cardiovascular risks in treated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have showed that some statins have protective effects in experimental cerebral aneurysm models. We conducted a case-control study to investigate an association between statin use and the rupture risk of cerebral aneurysm in Japanese population. METHODS: This was a multihospital case-control study; cases and controls were collected from 15 hospitals in Japan. Cases consisted of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage hospitalized from April 2009 to March 2011. Controls were selected from patients who had newly diagnosed unruptured saccular aneurysms from April 2006 to March 2011. The primary exposure of interest was statin use. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between stain use and the rupture risk of cerebral aneurysm. RESULTS: A total of 117 cases and 304 controls were included in the analyses. Statin was used in 9.4% of cases and 26.0% of controls. Controls had a significantly higher rate of use of statin. The use of any statin was associated with cerebral aneurysm rupture after adjustment of potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio: .30, 95% confidence interval: .14-.66). The association was similar in each stratum of total cholesterol level. CONCLUSIONS: This observation from a hospital-based case-control study in Japan suggested that there is inverse relationship between use of statins and cerebral aneurysm rupture. Future clinical studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent reports have showed that some statins have protective effects in experimental cerebral aneurysm models. We conducted a case–control study to investigate an association between statin use and the rupture risk of cerebral aneurysm in Japanese population. Methods: This was a multihospital case–control study; cases and controls were collected from 15 hospitals in Japan. Cases consisted of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage hospitalized from April 2009 to March 2011. Controls were selected from patients who had newly diagnosed unruptured saccular aneurysms from April 2006 to March 2011. The primary exposure of interest was statin use. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between stain use and the rupture risk of cerebral aneurysm. Results: A total of 117 cases and 304 controls were included in the analyses. Statin was used in 9.4% of cases and 26.0% of controls. Controls had a significantly higher rate of use of statin. The use of any statin was associated with cerebral aneurysm rupture after adjustment of potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio: .30, 95% confidence interval: .14-.66). The association was similar in each stratum of total cholesterol level. Conclusions: This observation from a hospital-based case-control study in Japan suggested that there is inverse relationship between use of statins and cerebral aneurysm rupture. Future clinical studies are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: Little is known about the long-term outcomes of patients with submucosal invasive colorectal cancer who undergo endoscopic or surgical resection. We performed a retrospective analysis of long-term outcomes of patients treated for submucosal colon and rectal cancer. Methods: We collected data on 549 patients with submucosal colon cancer and 209 patients with submucosal rectal cancer who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection at 6 institutions over a median follow-up period of 60.5 months. Patients were classified into one of 3 groups: low-risk patients undergoing only endoscopic resection (group A), high-risk patients undergoing only endoscopic resection (group B), and high-risk patients undergoing surgical resection that included lymph node dissection (group C). We assessed recurrence rates, 5-year disease-free survival, and 5-year overall survival. Cox regression analysis was used to compare recurrences. Results: The rates of recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival in group A for submucosal colon and rectal cancer were 0% versus 6.3% (P < .05), 96% versus 90%, and 96% versus 89%, respectively. For group B, these values were 1.4% versus 16.2% (P < .01), 96% versus 77% (P < .01), and 98% versus 96%, respectively; local recurrence was observed in 5 patients (one with submucosal colon cancer and 4 with submucosal rectal cancer). Tumor location was the only factor that contributed significantly to disease recurrence and death (hazard ratio, 6.73; P = .045). For group C, these values were 1.9% versus 4.5%, 97% versus 95%, and 99% versus 97%, respectively. Conclusions: The risk for local recurrence was significantly higher in high-risk patients with submucosal rectal cancer than in patients with submucosal colon cancer when treated with only endoscopic resection. The addition of surgery is therefore recommended for patients with submucosal rectal cancer with pathologic features indicating a high risk of tumor progression; University Hospital Medical Network Clinical Trials Registry, Number: UMIN 000008635. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 0/biomarker study on the effect of artepillin C-rich extract of Brazilian propolis in frequent colorectal adenoma polyp patients. An urgent issue reportedly with colon cancer is to find biomarkers to understand intermediate end points that alter early before the reliable end points of adenomatous polyp formation. It is noted that propolis has been used as a folk medicine which includes resinous material phenolics.

The article presents a study that deals with the effects of isolated diastolic hypertension in increasing the risks of future vascular events. The study determined the effects of prehypertension and hypertension subtypes on the risks of cardiovascular disease in the Asia-Pacific Region. It focused on data from the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration, covering a total of 346,570 participants from 36 cohort studies.

Background: There is no specific insertion method for patients who previously underwent an incomplete colonoscopy. No multicenter prospective study using a double-balloon endoscope (DBE) for total colonoscopy was previously performed. Objective: To demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of using short DBEs in patients who previously underwent incomplete colonoscopies. Design: A multicenter, prospective trial. Setting: Four tertiary care academic centers and 6 community hospitals. Patients: Patients with a history of incomplete colonoscopy, ages 20 to 79 years, were included. Exclusion criteria were colonoscopy performed by endoscopists with experience in fewer than 1000 cases, history of colectomy, poor bowel preparation, inflammatory bowel disease, active bowel obstruction, and active bleeding. Intervention: Total colonoscopies using short DBEs were attempted in all patients. Main Outcome Measurements: Primary endpoint was the cecal intubation rate. Secondary endpoints were time to cecal intubation, complications, and tolerability. Results: A total of 110 patients (62 males, median age 66.5 years) were included. Fifty-four patients had a history of abdominal surgery. The cecal intubation rate was 100% (110/110). Median intubation time was 12 minutes (range 4–47 minutes). Mild mucosal tears without symptoms occurred in 1 patient. For 64.5% of patients, intravenous sedatives and/or analgesics were used during examinations. Based on questionnaires, 50.9% had no pain, 31.8% slight pain, and 17.3% tolerable pain. Moreover, 96.4% of patients answered that their examination was more comfortable than their previous colonoscopy. Limitation: Uncontrolled trial. Conclusion: The use of a short DBE is an effective and safe method for total colonoscopy in patients who previously underwent incomplete colonoscopies. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN3464.) [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Short QT syndrome is one of the underlying disorders associated with ventricular fibrillation. However, the precise prognostic implication of a short QT interval remains unclear. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and long-term prognosis in patients with a shorter-than-normal QT interval in a large hospital-based population. Methods: We chose patients with a short Bazett QTc interval from a database consisting of 114,334 patients to determine the clinical characteristics and prognostic value of a short QT interval. Results: A total of 427 patients (mean age 43.4 ± 22.4 years) had a short QT interval with about a 1.2 times higher male predominance (234 men). The QTc interval was significantly longer in female than in male patients (363.8 ± 6.1 ms vs 357.1 ± 5.8 ms, P <.0001). The age-specific prevalence of patients with short QT interval was biphasic, peaking at young and old age. Atrial fibrillation and early repolarization were complicated with short QT interval in 39 (9.1%) and 26 (6.1%) patients, respectively. The prognosis of 327 patients (182 men; mean age, 46.4 ± 27.3 years) with a short QT interval could be assessed (mean follow-up period, 54.0 ± 62.0 months). During the follow-up, 2 patients, 1 of whom had early repolarization, developed life-threatening events, in contrast to 6 patients who died of noncardiac causes and did not have early repolarization. Conclusion: The prevalence of a short QT interval showed a slight male preponderance and biphasic age-dependent distribution in both genders. The complication rate of atrial fibrillation was higher in those with a short QT interval than in general populations. The long-term outcome suggested that early repolarization in a short QT interval might be associated with potential risk of lethal arrhythmia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Flat- and depressed-type neoplasias along with laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) have been reported in colorectal neoplasias. We estimated the prevalence of flat and depressed types and LSTs along with their proportion among advanced neoplasias in a large average-risk population undergoing screening colonoscopy. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed at a single, general community institution, with subjects who were 40 to 79 years old, asymptomatic, and who had undergone their first colonoscopy for screening between 2003 and 2009 (n = 4910). Among the neoplasias detected, advanced neoplasias were morphologically classified as the polypoid type, flat and depressed type, or LST. We determined the prevalence and proportion for each type among the advanced neoplasias, with morphologies defined according to the Japanese endoscopic classification. Results: Advanced neoplasias were detected in 7.9% of men, 4.7% of women, and 6.1% of overall subjects. The polypoid type, the flat and depressed types, and the LSTs accounted for 75.3%, 7.5%, and 17.2% of advanced neoplasia, respectively. There was a high proportion of T1 cancers among the depressed types (40%). Approximately 80% of LSTs were located on the right side of the colon and more than 30% of LSTs showed high-grade dysplasia or T1 cancer. Conclusions: Most advanced neoplasias detected were of the polypoid type. LSTs accounted for a considerable proportion among advanced neoplasia and tended to be located on the right side of the colon. The influences of any LSTs need to be taken into consideration for preventing colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous reports assessing diagnostic skill using narrow-band imaging (NBI) and pit pattern analysis for colorectal polyps involved only highly experienced endoscopists. Objective: To evaluate diagnostic skills of less-experienced endoscopists (LEE group) for differentiation of diminutive colorectal polyps by using NBI and pit pattern analysis with and without magnification after an expanded training program. Design: Prospective study. Patients: This study involved 32 patients with 44 colorectal polyps (27 adenomas and 17 hyperplastic polyps) of ≤5 mm that were identified and analyzed by using conventional colonoscopy as well as non-magnification and magnification NBI and chromoendoscopy followed by endoscopic removal for histopathological analysis. Intervention: Before a training course, 220 endoscopic images were distributed in randomized order to residents with no prior endoscopy experience (NEE group) and to the LEE group, who had performed colonoscopies for more than 5 years but had never used NBI. The 220 images were also distributed to highly experienced endoscopists (HEE group) who had routinely used NBI for more than 5 years. The images were distributed to the NEE and LEE groups again after a training class. Magnification NBI and chromoendoscopy images were assessed by using the Sano and Kudo classification systems, respectively. Main outcome measurements: Diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement for each endoscopic modality in each group. Results: Diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher, and kappa (κ) values improved in the LEE group for NBI with high magnification after expanded training. Diagnostic accuracy and κ values when using high-magnification NBI were highest among endoscopic techniques for the LEE group after such training and the HEE group (accuracy 90% vs 93%; κ = 0.79 vs 0.85, respectively). Limitations: Study involved only polyps of ≤5 mm. Conclusion: Using high-magnification NBI increased the differential diagnostic skill of the LEE group after expanded training so that it was equivalent to that of the HEE group. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: This study compared short-term and long-term outcomes in propensity score-matched patients with chronic kidney disease receiving bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) or single ITA grafting and assessed any benefit of bilateral ITA grafting for survival. Methods: Among 656 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (99.1% by off-pump technique) between 2002 and 2008, 361 had chronic kidney disease with no history of dialysis. After excluding 10 patients who would not be potential candidates for bilateral ITA grafting because they were aged older than 85 years and 15 who had only one target vessel at the left coronary area, we identified 157 propensity score-matched pairs. Propensity scores were created based on 13 preoperative factors (C statistics, 0.787). Results: During a mean observation of 2.9 years, the rates of overall death and cardiac death (myocardial infarction, heart failure, and sudden death) in the bilateral ITA group were significantly lower than those in the single ITA group (5.1% vs 15.9%, p = 0.01; 1.3% vs 8.3%, p = 0.01). In multivariate Cox models including bilateral ITA grafting and all other potential predictors, bilateral ITA grafting was significantly associated with a lower risk for overall death (hazard ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.10 to 0.89; p = 0.03) and cardiac death (hazard ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 0.63; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Among patients with chronic kidney disease, bilateral ITA grafting provides better long-term survival than single ITA grafting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Terminal P-wave inversion in lead V1 representing left atrial overload has been considered a precursor of atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether this P-wave morphologic characteristic can predict the development of AF. Methods: Digital analysis of 12-lead ECGs was performed to enroll patients with P terminal force ≥0.06 s × 2 mm in lead V1 from among a database of 308,391 ECG recordings. The prognostic value of ECG characteristics for developing AF was determined. Results: A total of 78 patients (mean age 52 ± 19 years) with left atrial overload were chosen from among 102,065 patients in the database. During mean follow-up of 43 months, 15 (19%) patients developed AF (AF group) versus 63 (81%) patients who did not (non-AF group). No significant difference was noted between the AF and non-AF groups with regard to the area, duration, and amplitude of the P-wave terminal portion in lead V1. In contrast, the area, duration, and amplitude of the P-wave initial portion in the same lead were significantly greater in the AF group than in the non-AF group (114.6 ± 73.0 μV × ms vs 73.1 ± 59.3 μV × ms, 42.2 ± 12.4 ms vs 35.7 ± 10.1 ms, and 94.0 ± 39.9 μV vs 68.8 ± 49.4 μV, respectively; P <.05 for each). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the area of the P-wave initial portion was independently associated with the development of AF (hazard ratio 4.02, 95% confidence interval 1.25–17.8; P = .018). Conclusion: P-wave initial portion in lead V1 was an independent risk stratifier of AF development in patients with marked left atrial overload. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Terminal P-wave inversion in lead V(1) representing left atrial overload has been considered a precursor of atrial fibrillation (AF).Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether this P-wave morphologic characteristic can predict the development of AF.Methods: Digital analysis of 12-lead ECGs was performed to enroll patients with P terminal force > or =0.06 s x 2 mm in lead V(1) from among a database of 308,391 ECG recordings. The prognostic value of ECG characteristics for developing AF was determined.Results: A total of 78 patients (mean age 52 +/- 19 years) with left atrial overload were chosen from among 102,065 patients in the database. During mean follow-up of 43 months, 15 (19%) patients developed AF (AF group) versus 63 (81%) patients who did not (non-AF group). No significant difference was noted between the AF and non-AF groups with regard to the area, duration, and amplitude of the P-wave terminal portion in lead V(1). In contrast, the area, duration, and amplitude of the P-wave initial portion in the same lead were significantly greater in the AF group than in the non-AF group (114.6 +/- 73.0 microV x ms vs 73.1 +/- 59.3 microV x ms, 42.2 +/- 12.4 ms vs 35.7 +/- 10.1 ms, and 94.0 +/- 39.9 microV vs 68.8 +/- 49.4 microV, respectively; P <.05 for each). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the area of the P-wave initial portion was independently associated with the development of AF (hazard ratio 4.02, 95% confidence interval 1.25-17.8; P = .018).Conclusion: P-wave initial portion in lead V(1) was an independent risk stratifier of AF development in patients with marked left atrial overload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Studies have shown that baseline serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in men and women. However, less is known whether GGT is similarly associated with both stroke and heart disease (HD) risk in Asia. We examined an association between serum GGT and deaths from stroke and HD in Japanese men and women. Methods: From 1990 to 2005, we followed 7488 adults (3089 men) randomly selected from 300 districts throughout Japan, aged 30–95 with no history of coronary disease nor stroke at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) according to sex-specific GGT strata. Results: During the study period, observed deaths from HD and stroke were 165 (83 men), and 135 (66 men), respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, HRs of HD death for 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th GGT percentiles in reference to the lowest GGT stratum were 1.61, 2.28, 2.48, and 4.59 in women (P for trend=0.001), and 0.90, 0.74, 1.42, and 1.56 in men (P for trend=0.250). The corresponding HRs of total stroke death were 1.52, 0.95, 1.22, and 1.34 in women (P for trend=0.785), and 0.75, 0.91, 1.26, and 1.02 in men (P for trend=0.642). Results were similar when analysis was limited to never-drinkers. Conclusion: This cohort study of representative Japanese men and women suggested that baseline GGT independently predicts future HD mortality risk, especially in women, but not stroke mortality risk in Asian. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Data from animal studies clearly indicate an association between leptin and hypertension; results of human studies are less concordant. We investigated the role of leptin in obesity-related higher blood pressure (BP) in Japanese Americans living in Hawaii and Japanese in Japan. Serum leptin and BP were examined by standardized methods in men and women ages 40 to 59 years from 2 population samples, one Japanese American in Hawaii (88 men and 94 women) and the other Japanese in central Japan (123 men and 111 women). Multiple linear regression models were used to assess role of leptin in obesity-related higher BP. Across quartiles of leptin, there were significantly higher mean body mass index levels, systolic BP, and diastolic BP for both sexes and sites (P<0.01 to 0.02). In multivariate regression analyses using all of the data combined, relations of body mass index and leptin to systolic BP and diastolic BP remained significant with the interaction term (body mass index x log-leptin) in the models (P<0.01 to <0.05). These findings are consistent with the inference that leptin may be an independent mediator for obesity-related elevations in BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is a leading cause of death because of cardiovascular disease and predominantly affects total mortality. To reduce avoidable deaths from hypertension, we need to collect blood pressure data and assess their impact on total mortality. To examine this issue, a meta-analysis of 13 cohort studies was conducted in Japan. Poisson regression was used for estimating all-cause mortality rates and ratios. In the model, blood pressure data were treated as continuous (10-mm Hg increase) and categorical (every 10 mm Hg) according to recommendations of the Seventh Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of Hypertension. Potential confounders included body mass index, smoking, drinking, and cohort. The impact of hypertension was measured by the population-attributable fraction. After excluding participants with cardiovascular disease history, 176 389 participants were examined in the analysis. Adjusted mortality rates became larger as the blood pressure increased, and these were more distinct in younger men and women. Hazard ratios also showed the same trends, and these trends were more apparent in younger men (hazard ratio [unit: 10-mm Hg increase] aged 40 to 49 years: systolic blood pressure 1.37 (range: 1.15 to 1.62); diastolic blood pressure 1.46 [range: 1.05 to 2.03]) than older ones (hazard ratio: aged 80 to 89 years: systolic blood pressure 1.09 [range: 1.05 to 1.13]and diastolic blood pressure 1.12 [range: 1.03 to 1.22]). Population-attributable fraction of hypertension was approximately 20% when the normal category was used as a reference level and was 10% when we included the prehypertension group in the reference level. In conclusion, high blood pressure raised the risk of total mortality, and this trend was higher in the younger Japanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Adenomatous polyps are main precursors of colorectal cancers (CRCs). In Japan, de novo cancers, which do not arise from preexisting adenomas, are considered to account for a substantial number of CRCs, but the relative importance of de novo carcinogenesis remains controversial. This study estimated the proportion of de novo cancers among CRCs in Japan. Methods: The subjects were persons 40–79 years of age who were relatively similar to those in the general population. The subjects underwent colonoscopy between 1997 and 2001. Early cancers among CRCs detected in this study were classified as de novo cancers or polyp cancers derived from adenomas. The age-specific incidence of the early CRCs was calculated, and the proportion of de novo cancers was estimated. The lifetime risk of early CRCs was estimated. Results: The study group comprised 14,817 persons. CRCs were diagnosed in 189 subjects, including 83 early cancers. There were no differences with regard to size and location between de novo cancers and polyp cancers, but morphology differed. Eighty-four percent (16/19) of de novo cancers were flat elevated or depressed. The expected lifetime risk of developing early CRCs was 5.27% for men and 3.21% for women. Among persons with early cancers, the expected probabilities of developing de novo cancer were 18.6% for men, 27.4% for women. Conclusions: De novo cancers account for a considerable proportion in Japan. This information suggests that the recommended interval for colonoscopic examination in Japan should be shorter than that in the United States. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]