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Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is traditionally defined as a resting mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of ≥25 mmHg, while mPAP in the range of 21 to 24 mmHg is recognized as “borderline PH.” Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is complicated by the development of PH, which is known to be linked with exercise intolerance and a poor prognosis. Even though it has recently been recommended that PH is redefined as a mPAP of > 20 mmHg, little is known about the clinical significance of borderline PH in ILD. We evaluated whether borderline PH has an impact on the exercise capacity, risk of acute exacerbation (AE), and mortality in patients with ILD. Methods A total of 80 patients with ILD who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) between November 2013 and October 2016 were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the mPAP values: mPAP ≤20 mmHg (No-PH group; n = 56), 20

Adult hearts have limited regenerative capacity. Hence, after acute myocardial infarction (MI), dead myocardial tissues are digested by immune cells and replaced by fibrosis, leading to ventricular remodeling and heart failure at the chronic stage. Direct reprogramming of the cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) with cardiac transcription factors, including Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (GMT), may have significant potential for cardiac repair. Sendai virus (SeV) vectors expressing GMT have been reported to reprogram the mouse cardiac fibroblasts into iCMs without any risk of insertional mutagenesis. In vivo reprogramming improved the cardiac function after acute MI in immunodeficient mice. However, it is unknown whether the newly generated iCMs could exist in infarct hearts for a prolonged period and SeV-GMT can improve cardiac function after MI at the chronic stage in immunocompetent mice. Here, we show that SeV vectors efficiently infect CFs in vivo and reprogram them into iCMs, which existed for at least four weeks after MI, in fibroblast-linage tracing mice. Moreover, SeV-GMT improved cardiac function and reduced fibrosis and collagen I expression at 12 weeks after MI in immunocompetent mice. Thus, direct cardiac reprogramming with SeV vectors could be a promising therapy for MI.

Background Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is a heritable connective tissue disorder with a high degree of clinical variability including respiratory diseases; a rare case of MFS with massive intrathoracic bleeding has been reported recently. Case presentation A 32-year-old man who had been diagnosed with MFS underwent a Bentall operation with artificial valve replacement for aortic dissection and regurgitation of an aortic valve in 2012. Warfarin was started postoperatively, and the dosage was gradually increased until 2017, when the patient was transported to our hospital due to sudden massive haemoptysis. Computed tomography (CT) with a maximum intensity projection (MIP) revealed several giant pulmonary cysts with fluid levels in the apex of the right lung with an abnormal vessel from the right subclavian artery. Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed with angiography and haemostasis was achieved, which suggested that the bleeding vessel was the lateral thoracic artery (LTA) branch. CT taken before the incident indicated thickening of the cystic wall adjacent to the thorax; therefore, it was postulated that the bleeding originated from fragile anastomoses between the LTA and pulmonary or bronchial arteries. It appears that the vessels exhibited inflammation that began postoperatively, which extended to the cysts. Conclusion We experienced a case of MFS with massive haemoptysis from the right LTA. We have to be aware of the possibility that massive haemoptysis could be induced in MFS with inflamed pulmonary cysts.

Objectives To determine the cutoff value of early-morning urinary arginine vasopressin (uAVP)/urinary creatinine (uCr) for patients with nocturnal polyuria (NP), and to investigate whether abnormal secretion of AVP at nighttime is a risk factor of NP in elderly men. Methods A total of 189 men older than 50 years of age with nocturia were enrolled. The frequency volume chart was recorded. The uAVP, urinary sodium, uCr, and osmolarity of a single urine sample voided at 6:00 am were measured in all cases. Two definitions of NP—nocturnal urine volume/24-hr production greater than 0.35 (NP index [NPI] definition) and a nocturnal urine volume of 0.9 mL/min × the sleeping duration or greater (NUV definition)—were used for analysis. Results uAVP/uCr was an independent predictor for NP according to the NPI and NUV definitions. The cutoff value of uAVP/uCr for NP was 23.4 pg/mL/Cr according to the NPI definition and 28.3 pg/mL/Cr according to the NUV definition. The sensitivity of the cutoff value according to the NPI and NUV definitions was 69% and 77%, respectively, and the specificity was 61% and 66%, respectively. In both NP definitions, 31% and 38% of the patients with a uAVP/uCr greater than the cutoff value showed NP. Significant differences in NUV and urine osmolarity, but not in uAVP/uCr and uNa/uCr, between the NP group and the non-NP group were found using both NP definitions. Conclusions We demonstrated that age and uAVP/uCr were independent predictive factors for nocturia in patients with NP. The cutoff value of uAVP/uCr is a useful screening marker for NP in elderly men with nocturia.

Objectives To elucidate whether heart function and endocrine levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP) or solute diuresis is associated with the nocturnal voided volume, and whether the urinary AVP could be a parameter for screening for nocturnal polyuria caused by AVP insufficiency. Methods A total of 50 patients were enrolled in this study. The blood and urine samples were obtained every 6 hours at 6 pm , 12 am , 6 am , and 12 pm . Atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide were measured at admission. All voided urine samples were collected every 6 hours for examination. The evaluation items were AVP, osmolarity, sodium, potassium, chloride, and creatinine in blood and urine. Results The patients were classified into a group with nocturnal polyuria (n = 21) and a group without nocturnal polyuria (n = 25). There was no significant difference in atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, electrolytes in blood and urine, and plasma AVP of each sample between the two groups, but urinary AVP/urinary creatinine and urine osmolarity at 12 am and 6 am in the group with nocturnal polyuria were significantly lower than those in the group without nocturnal polyuria. The nocturnal voided volume correlated with urinary AVP/urinary creatinine level in the urine samples obtained at 12 am and 6 am . Conclusions The present data have demonstrated that the significant decrease in urinary AVP/urinary creatinine level at 6 am may contribute to the increased nocturnal voided volume followed by nocturia and that the circadian rhythm disorder of AVP can be predicted by a noninvasive test measuring urinary AVP/urinary creatinine in the urine voided early in the morning.

Background : A pressure-flow study, although a slightly invasive procedure, can evaluate bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor contractility. This study was conducted in men with a non-enlarged prostate to determine the cause of urinary disturbance by less invasive examinations that might even- tually replace pressure-flow study. Methods : Thirty-six men with lower urinary tract symptoms were enrolled. Their prostate volume, estimated by transrectal ultrasonography, was less than 20 mL. All patients were examined using pressure-flow study, free-flowmetry, transrectal ultrasonography, prostate specific antigen and an interview using the International Prostate Symptom Score and Quality of Life Index. With determi- nation of the cause for urinary disturbance, parameters that correlated with outflow obstruction or impaired detrusor contractility were sought. Results : Twenty-one (60%) of the 36 men were judged as having outflow obstruction, and 16 of these 21 men had normal detrusor function. Impaired detrusor contractility was observed in 17 men. Only three of these 17 men had no outflow obstruction. Four patients had an unstable bladder. All these four had normal detrusor contractility, but had outflow obstruction. Among the parameters examined, only the maximum flow rate in a flow metrogram (Q max ) correlated significantly with the degree of outflow obstruction ( P = 0.04). The positive predictive value of Q max for outflow obstruction was 65% at a flow rate of less than 10 mL/s, and 100% at that of less than 5 mL/s. No parameter correlated with detrusor contractility. Conclusion : The only parameter that was a clear indicator of outflow obstruction was Q max . Other indicators of detrusor contractility should be sought.

With the increase in detection of incidental renal cell carcinoma, nephron-sparing surgery for small renal cell carcinomas is now recognized as one of the surgical options. We report a case of renal arteriovenous fistula developing after non-ischemic tumor enucleation of a small renal cell carcinoma using a microwave tissue coagulator. A 50-year-old Japanese man presented with right flank pain and gross hematuria. The patient had undergone non-ischemic tumor enucleation for right renal cell carcinoma, 2 cm in diameter, 1 month previously. Doppler ultrasound revealed the formation of an arteriovenous fistula at the enucleated portion. Transcatheter super-selective occlusion of the feeding artery was successfully performed with two metallic coils. The patient has been followed up with no sign of recanalization of the fistula. In this case, the tumor was located close to the renal hilus with thick arterial branches around the tumor. Additional microwave coagulations against arterial bleeding from the cutting surface might have been the cause of the fistula formation of this case. Non-ischemic tumor enucleation using a microwave tissue coagulator is a relatively easy and secure nephron-sparing surgical procedure. Excessive coagulation, however, should be avoided, since it might be the cause of unexpected postoperative vascular complications.

Background New diagnostic criteria for dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in prostate cancer are presented. The diagnostic usefulness of endorectal MR imaging with dynamic contrast-enhancement in localized prostate cancer and the validity of these criteria were evaluated. Methods Eighteen untreated patients who were suspected of localized prostate cancer were included in the study. They received endorectal dynamic MR imaging before systematic sextant needle biopsy. First. a mapping study with the findings of MR images and histopathology of biopsy specimens was performed in eight patients out of 18 to compare the difference in T2-weighted images with the endorectal coil and the body coil in the same individuals. Second, another mapping study was performed in all 18 patients by analyzing the findings of endorectal dynamic MR images. For the diagnosis of prostate cancer in MR imaging, we offered diagnostic criteria from our experience in addition to those in plain T2-weighted images from the literature. Results The overall diagnostic rates of endorectal dynamic MR imaging were 88.9% in accuracy, 100% in sensitivity, and 81.8% in specificity. In the comparison of the endorectal and body coils in T2-weighted images in eight patients, there was no difference in the diagnostic rates except for one more histopathologic false positive portion in endorectal MR imaging. In the second mapping study in 18 patients, the diagnostic rates were 92.6% in accuracy, 88.9% in sensitivity and 93.3% in specificity. Endorectal dynamic imaging raised the diagnostic sensitivity from 77.8 to 88.9%. Conclusion The data demonstrated the validity of this diagnostic criteria and the diagnostic usefulness of endorectal dynamic MR imaging in localized prostate cancer.

We report a case of prostate cancer and left ectopic ureter opening to seminal vesicle with left renal agenesis. A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for treatment of prostate cancer with cyst formation. On the rectal examination, a cystic tumor was palpable on the left side of prostate. The left kidney was not detected by intravenous pyelography and ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a retrovesical cystic lesion in the left side. Total prostatectomy and left ureterectomy were performed under the diagnosis of clinical T1cN0M0 prostate cancer and left ectopic ureter opening to seminal vesicle with left renal agenesis. The pathological findings showed well differentiated adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 3 + 3, and left ectopic ureter entering into the seminal vesicle and left renal agenesis. The patient was well 39 months after the total prostatectomy and left ureterectomy without evidence of recurrence. There have been no cases of the association of this urogenital anomaly, such as ectopic ureter opening to seminal vesicle with renal agenesis and prostate cancer and the combined management of both. Our case seems to be first case in the Japanese literature.

The goals of the present study were to evaluate whether the different function of endogenous antidiuretic hormone (arginine vasopressin; AVP) results in the difference in 24-h production/weight and to make indexes of lifestyle advice for patients with nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria (NP).A total of 205 male patients over 50 years of age were enrolled in the study. Frequency volume chart and fluid intake (time and volume) were recorded under unconditioned status. All patients submitted single voided urine sample at 06.00 hours. Urinary AVP (uAVP), sodium (uNa), creatinine (uCr), and osmolarity were measured. Patients were divided into four groups according to 24-h urine production/weight as follows: 24-h production/weight40, 24-h production/weight: more than 30 to 40, 24-h production/weight: more than 20 to 30, 24-h production/weight: 20 or less.The data of 174 eligible patients were finally evaluated. Although there were no differences in uAVP/uCr and uNa/uCr among the groups, the nocturnal voided volume (NUV) increased with the increase in 24-h production/weight. Age, uAVP/uCr, 24-hr production/weight of more than 20 to 30, and 24-h production/weight of 20 or less were independent factors for NP. NUV did not correlate with 24-h drinking volume in any group.Our data suggested that the increased 24-h urine production/weight was apparently a risk factor for NP. We attributed this phenomenon to deterioration of the function of AVP.

Background: We report on an extremely rare case of urachal tuberculosis that was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction test of paraffin-embedded material. Methods/Results: A 62-year-old man presented with pollakiuria. With a diagnosis of urachal abscess, the patient underwent en bloc resection of the cystic mass. A bacterial culture test of the content showed no organism. The histopathologic findings suggested urachal tuberculosis. The AMPLICOR polymerase chain reaction test by using paraffin-embedded sections revealed the existence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the resected tissue. The only positive finding in systemic screening examinations for tuberculosis was old tuberculosis scars in the upper right lung. It was supposed that hematogeneous spreading from the lung lesion may result in urachal tuberculosis after a long latent period. Conclusions: Although urachal tuberculosis is an extremely rare condition, tuberculosis must always be kept in mind when observing any infectious diseases.