Prevention of Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis by Endoscopic Pancreatic Stenting after Insertion of Self-Expandable Metal Stent for Malignant Distal Biliary Stricture

The insertion of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) for nonpancreatic cancer is a factor predicting the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). We evaluated the efficacy of endo-scopic pancreatic stenting (EPS) to prevent PEP after SEMS insertion in patients with malignant distal biliary stricture and without main pancreatic duct (MPD) obstruction. We performed a single-center, retrospective, historically controlled investigation to assess the outcomes of 33 consecutive patients who underwent SEMS insertion. From March 2013 to June 2015, 13 patients did not undergo EPS (Non-EPS group). The other 20 patients underwent EPS (EPS group) between July 2015 and August 2018. The background data demonstrated no significant differences. Except for one patient in the Non-EPS group, all patients underwent biliary sphinc-terotomy. The EPS group’s PEP incidence was significantly lower (n = 1, 5%) than that of the Non-EPS group (n = 4, 31%) (p = 0.04). The median serum amylase and lipase levels after the procedure were significantly lower in the EPS group than in the Non-EPS group (amylase: 104 vs. 262 U/L; p < 0.01, lipase: 102 vs. 666 U/L; p = 0.01). The use of EPS decreased the incidence of PEP after SEMS insertion in individuals with malignant distal biliary stricture and without MPD obstruction

Achieving LDL cholesterol target levels <1.81 mmol/L may provide extra cardiovascular protection in patients at high risk: Exploratory analysis of the Standard Versus Intensive Statin Therapy for Patients with Hypercholesterolaemia and Diabetic Retinopathy study

Aims To assess the benefits of intensive statin therapy on reducing cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with hyperlipidaemia and retinopathy in a primary prevention setting in Japan. In the intension-to-treat population, intensive therapy [targeting LDL cholesterol = 2.59 to = 100 to = 2.59 to <3.10 mmol/L in patients with hypercholesterolaemia and diabetic retinopathy

Development of Low Parasitic Light Sensitivity and Low Dark Current 2.8 μm Global Shutter Pixel

Abstract: We developed a low parasitic light sensitivity (PLS) and low dark current 2.8 μm global shutter pixel. We propose a new inner lens design concept to realize both low PLS and high quantum efficiency (QE). 1/PLS is 7700 and QE is 62% at a wavelength of 530 nm. We also propose a new storage-gate based memory node for low dark current. P-type implants and negative gate biasing are introduced to suppress dark current at the surface of the memory node. This memory node structure shows the world smallest dark current of 9.5 e−/s at 60 °C

Targeted Disruption of the MyD88 Gene Results in Loss of IL-1- and IL-18-Mediated Function

AbstractMyD88, originally isolated as a myeloid differentiation primary response gene, is shown to act as an adaptor in interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling by interacting with both the IL-1 receptor complex and IL-1 receptor–associated kinase (IRAK). Mice generated by gene targeting to lack MyD88 have defects in T cell proliferation as well as induction of acute phase proteins and cytokines in response to IL-1. Increases in interferon-γ production and natural killer cell activity in response to IL-18 are abrogated. In vivo Th1 response is also impaired. Furthermore, IL-18-induced activation of NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is blocked in MyD88−/− Th1-developing cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MyD88 is a critical component in the signaling cascade that is mediated by IL-1 receptor as well as IL-18 receptor

Efficacy and safety of a 60-week treatment with candesartan in Japanese patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure

AbstractBackgroundChronic heart failure (CHF) is an increasingly common cardiovascular disease despite recent advances in its diagnosis and management.Methods and resultsA multicenter, open-label study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of 60-week treatment with candesartan in Japanese patients with mild to moderate CHF. Primary efficacy endpoints were changes from baseline in plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic dimension, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class. Two hundred and eighty-nine eligible patients were divided into 2 groups based on the daily dose at the end of treatment: high-dose (HD, 8mg, N=170) and low-dose (LD, 2 or 4mg, N=119). Neither plasma BNP levels nor LVEF changed from the baseline to the end of treatment in the LD group, whereas BNP significantly improved from 61.6 to 50.1pg/mL (p=0.0005) and LVEF from 57.2 to 60.1% (p=0.0005) in the HD group. The changes in NYHA functional class were comparable between groups: 21.2% improved and 76.3% unchanged in the LD group and 20.6% improved and 79.4% unchanged in the HD group. No safety concerns were observed in either group.ConclusionsHD candesartan was more effective in improving plasma BNP levels and cardiac function than LD in Japanese CHF patients. Both LD and HD candesartan were well tolerated in CHF patients