Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography Is Useful for Preventing Prosthetic-Patient Mismatch After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

: Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) in surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is known to be a poor prognostic factor. However, the parameters for preventing postoperative PPM in SAVR have not been established. : Two hundred and five patients (mean age 72.

Interleukin-32-expressing CD4 T cells are a potentially pathogenic subset in systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy, fibrosis, and inflammation. CD4 T cells produce cytokines that are crucial in the pathogenesis of SSc. However, the role of CD4 T cells in SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) remain unclear.

Development of Cardiac Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a valvular heart disease that imposes a high afterload on the left ventricle (LV) due to restricted opening of the aortic valve, resulting in LV hypertrophy. Severe AS can lead to syncope, angina pectoris, and heart failure. The number of patients with AS has been increasing due to aging populations, the growing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, and advances in diagnostic technologies.

Preoperative Longitudinal Strain on Computed Tomography Is a Sensitive Marker of Patient Prognosis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: This study evaluated the utility of myocardial strain analysis on computed tomography (CT) using state-of-the-art image analysis software to predict the prognosis of patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods And Results: We included 126 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) who underwent preoperative CT. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as a composite of cardiac death (including unknown death based on medical records), hospitalization due to heart failure, and fatal arrhythmia.

Protocol: Filgotinib in addition to methotrexate versus filgotinib monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with an inadequate response to methotrexate: A multicenter, prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial (FAITHFUL Study).

Background: Filgotinib (FIL), a Janus kinase-1 preferential inhibitor, has been studied for its efficacy and safety in rheumatoid arthritis. The FINCH3 trial compared FIL monotherapy, FIL plus methotrexate (MTX) combination therapy, and MTX monotherapy in MTX-naïve patients. However, comparisons in patients with an inadequate response to MTX remain unclear.

Effects of Regular Habitual Exercise on Platelet Energetics in Male Recreational Contact Sports Student-Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Recently, an increasing number of athletes (from recreational to professional) have chosen autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to treat their sports-related injuries. However, its clinical outcomes vary among individuals and are thought to be influenced mainly by the athletes' PRP quality and physical condition. Thus, for successful PRP therapy, it is crucial to evaluate platelet activities in addition to soluble bioactive factors.

Identification of BHLHE40-Expressing CD4 T Cells Producing GM-CSF in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF: CSF2) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The basic helix-loop-helix family member e40 (BHLHE40) gene is important for GM-CSF production in CD4 T cells. However, the relationship between the expression of these genes and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear, particularly in interleukin-1 (IL-1)-enriched inflammatory sites.

Trans-omics landscape of systemic vasculitis identified matrix metalloproteinase 12 as a novel signature molecule.

Objectives: To identify key molecules involved in the disease pathophysiology of systemic vasculitis through trans-omics analysis, with a specific focus on demonstrating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 12 as a potential biomarker in rheumatic entities.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases from June 2013 until September 2022 were enrolled. We screened vasculitis-specific molecules by combining findings from serum proteome analysis and whole-blood RNA sequencing.

Computed Tomography Evaluation of Extracellular Volume for Predicting Prognosis in Patients with Severe Renal Dysfunction on Dialysis.

: Extracellular volume (ECV) analysis using computed tomography is recognized as a potential method for diagnostic application. It is currently the only noninvasive method for quantitatively evaluating myocardial fibrosis in dialysis patients for whom gadolinium contrast agents are contraindicated. In this study, we assessed the utility of ECV measurement via CT in the left ventricular (LV) myocardium (LVM) to predict major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in dialysis patients.

Extracellular Volume by Computed Tomography Is Useful for Prediction of Prognosis in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Cases with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Objective: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) helps screen coronary artery stenosis in cases with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Extracellular volume fraction (ECV) analysis has recently been eligible for CT.

Method: We evaluated the impact of ECV on the CT to predict the prognosis in DCM patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Urinary Biomarkers Associated With Pathogenic Pathways Reflecting Histologic Findings in Lupus Nephritis.

Objective: There is a pressing need to understand the pathogenesis of histologic findings and identify the biomarkers for predicting the histologic severity in lupus nephritis (LN). This study aimed to identify the pathogenic signal pathway and elucidate urinary biomarkers for predicting the presence or severity of histologic findings in LN.

Methods: Urine samples from patients with biopsy-proven active LN were screened for 1,305 proteins using an aptamer-based proteomic assay.

Effect of whey protein-derived decapeptide on mood status and blood variables in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial.

Purpose: The importance of maintaining good mental health with overall well-being has recently drawn attention from various fields. Functional peptides found from various protein sources reportedly reduce mental health problems. We found a new decapeptide (AJI-801) from whey proteins, which can possibly improve mood status and increase blood acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels.

Long-read sequencing for 29 immune cell subsets reveals disease-linked isoforms.

Alternative splicing events are a major causal mechanism for complex traits, but they have been understudied due to the limitation of short-read sequencing. Here, we generate a full-length isoform annotation of human immune cells from an individual by long-read sequencing for 29 cell subsets. This contains a number of unannotated transcripts and isoforms such as a read-through transcript of TOMM40-APOE in the Alzheimer's disease locus.

Four-dimensional computed tomography is useful for detection of apical sparing of cardiac amyloidosis.

A 73-year-old male was admitted because of recurrent syncope. He was diagnosed with transient bradycardia caused by a 2:1 atrioventricular block, and he underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) using 320 detector-row CT to screen for coronary artery disease. Significant coronary artery stenosis was not detected, but diffuse late iodinate enhancement was found on the epi-myocardium and endo-myocardium of the interventricular septum, and endo-myocardium of the anterior and lateral left ventricular (LV) myocardium (LVM) on CT.

Plasma Gel Matrix as a Promising Carrier of Epigallocatechin Gallate for Regenerative Medicine.

Plasma gel (PG) is a protein matrix prepared from platelet-poor plasma and can be utilized as a drug carrier for controlled release. We previously demonstrated its applicability as a carrier of polyphosphate. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main flavonoid found in green tea and functions as a strong antioxidant.