A useful approach to total analysis of RISC-associated RNA

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An artifice in the insertion of the Hickman catheter in small children

Although the Hickman catheter is commonly used in pediatric patients, it is difficult to place this catheter safely in small children, especially infants. A multiple-step method, starting with a thinner catheter, makes the placement easier and safer.Keywords: central venous catheter, children, Hickman cathete

Retinoic acid controls vascular formation by activating transcription of aryl hydrocarbon receptor gene in medakafish Oryzias latipes

Retinoic acid (RA) has been shown to have a role in vascular formation, but how it affects is not fully understood. Previously, we reported that RA and its nuclear receptor (RAR) is required for transcription of ahr1 encoding an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), and that pharmacological modulation of RA, RAR, and AHR impairs the formation of common cardinal veins (CCVs) on the yolk of medakafish embryos. Here, to delineate a role for ahr1 in the vascular formation, we used an antisense-ahr1 mRNA to suppress ahr1. Following the development of vegfr1-expressing angioblast cells, we show that the antisense-ahr1 greatly inhibited the accumulation of angioblasts at the prospective branchial arch (PBA) where CCVs begin to develop on the yolk and the following CCV formation, demonstrating for the first time the essential role of ahr1 in the embryonic vascular formation of vertebrates. We also show that rarα and ahr1 mRNAs are co-expressed at PBA, suggesting a possible role of the specific expression.This work was supported in part by a grant from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan

Association between thyroid cysts and hypertension by atherosclerosis status: a cross-sectional study

Our recent studies indicate that thyroid cysts have clinical implications. Thyroid cysts could have a positive effect on the supply of thyroid hormones. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism cause hypertension. Hypothyroidism, but not hyperthyroidism, is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Therefore, thyroid cysts could be associated with hypertension, and atherosclerosis might influence the association between thyroid cysts and hypertension. To evaluate the clinical significance of thyroid cysts, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 1801 Japanese aged 40–74 years. Thyroid cysts were significantly positively associated with hypertension in participants without atherosclerosis. However, there was a significant inverse association in those with atherosclerosis. The potential confounding factor adjusted odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were 1.49 (95% CI 1.17–1.90) for participants without atherosclerosis and 0.49 (95% CI 0.24–0.98) for those with atherosclerosis. The present study demonstrates that thyroid cysts have clinical implications because thyroid cysts support thyroid hormone activity. Our findings provide sufficient evidence to develop a risk assessment for hypertension for the general population, even though further research is required

HbA1c is inversely associated with thyroid cysts in a euthyroid population: A cross-sectional study

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) is revealed to be inversely associated with thyroid cysts among euthyroid population. TPO-Ab causes autoimmune thyroiditis by bolstering thyroid inflammation. Therefore, at least partly, absence of thyroid cysts could indicate latent thyroid damage. Since participants with subclinical hypothyroidism are reported to have higher HbA1c than normal healthy controls, HbA1c could be inversely associated with thyroid cysts through a mechanism reflecting latent thyroid damage. To investigate the association between HbA1c and thyroid cysts among a euthyroid population, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,724 Japanese individuals who were within the normal range of thyroid function [i.e., normal range of free triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (T4)] and aged 40–74 years. Among this study population, 564 were diagnosed with thyroid cysts. Independently of thyroid related hormones [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3, and free T4] and known cardiovascular risk factors, HbA1c was found to be significantly inversely associated with the presence of thyroid cysts. This association remained significant even after this analysis was limited to participants within a normal range of TSH. The fully adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of thyroid cysts for 1 standard deviation (SD) increment of HbA1c were 0.84 (0.74, 0.95) for total participants and 0.80 (0.70, 0.92) for participants within a normal range of TSH. Among participants with normal thyroid function, HbA1c was inversely associated with the presence of thyroid cysts. The absence of thyroid cysts and higher levels of HbA1c could indicate the latent functional damage of the thyroid

Normal Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPO-Ab) Titers and Active Arterial Wall Thickening among Euthyroid Individuals: A Prospective Study

Among euthyroid individuals, having an anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) titer in the normal range (negative) is positively associated with atherosclerosis as evaluated based on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Atherosclerosis is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but no significant association between yearly progression in CIMT and cardiovascular disease has been reported. Therefore, clarifying the association between having a TPO-Ab titer in the normal range and yearly progression in CIMT (i.e., active arterial wall thickening) among euthyroid individuals could help inform strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease. We conducted a prospective study of 1069 Japanese subjects with free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels within the normal range. Having a TPO-Ab titer in the normal range was significantly positively associated with baseline atherosclerosis and significantly inversely associated with active arterial wall thickening. After adjusting for known confounding factors, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of log (TPO-Ab titer) for baseline atherosclerosis and active arterial wall thickening was 2.16 (1.07, 4.35) and 0.59 (0.37, 0.93), respectively. Since progression in CIMT is a process of aggressive endothelial repair, deficient endothelial repair inhibits active arterial wall thickening. Therefore, high–normal TPO-Ab titers might induce a deficiency in endothelial repair

Subclinical hypothyroidism and hypertension in relation to thyroid cysts: A cross-sectional study

Subclinical hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by a normal range of thyroid hormone [triiodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4)] but with an elevated level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) . It is also reported to be associated with hypertension. Since thyroid cysts could have a beneficial effect on the activation of thyroid hormone as reported in our previous study, their presence could influence the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and hypertension. To clarify those associations, a cross-sectional study of 1,724 Japanese within normal range of thyroid hormone (i.e., normal range of free T 3 and free T 4), aged 40-74 years, who participated in an annual health checkup in 2014 was conducted. Among the study population, 98 were diagnosed as having sublicnical hypothyroidism. For participants without a thyroid cyst, hypertension had a significant positive association with subclinical hypothyroidism, while for participants with a thyroid cyst, even though the power could not reach a significant value, an inverse tendency between hypertension and subclinical hypothyroidism was observed. The adjusted odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.91 (1.08, 3.37) for participants without thyroid cysts and 0.63 (0.26, 1.55) for participants with thyroid cysts, respectively. The status of thyroid cysts could act as a determining factor in the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and hypertension among participants within normal range of thyroid hormone

Associations among Ratio of Free Triiodothyronine to Free Thyroxine, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Subclinical Hypothyroidism

The ratio of free triiodothyronine (FT3) to free thyroxine (FT4) (FT3/FT4), a maker of peripheral thyroxin deiodination, could indicate activity of thyroid hormone. Since positive association between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) was reported, clarifying the association among FT3/FT4, SCH, and CKD could be an efficient tool to make a strategy for preventing CKD. A cross-sectional study with 1724 Japanese with normal thyroid hormone was conducted. Significant positive association between SCH and CKD was observed; the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 2.23 (1.38, 3.59). Even though, FT3/FT4 was found to be inversely associated with CKD whereas positively associated with SCH; the adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for 1 standard deviation (SD) increment of FT3/FT4 were 0.51 (0.35, 0.74) for CKD and 2.40 (1.34, 4.29) for SCH, respectively. FT3/FT4 was also found to be positively associated with SCH without CKD but not those with CKD; 1 SD increment of FT3/FT4 were 3.44 (1.72, 6.91) for SCH without CKD and 1.11 (0.40, 3.06) for SCH with CKD, respectively. Although further investigation is necessary, present study indicates that higher activity of peripheral thyroxin deiodination might have beneficial association on absence of CKD even among SCH which is positively associated with CKD

Height and Active Arterial Wall Thickening in Relation to Thyroid Cysts Status among Elderly Japanese: A Prospective Study

Height is inversely associated with inflammation that stimulates endothelial repair. In our previous study involving elderly men aged 60–69 years, we found that active arterial wall thickening, which is known as the process of endothelial repair, requires CD34-positive cells. As thyroid hormone regulates CD34-positive cell production and as the absence of thyroid cysts might indicate latent damage in the thyroid, the status of thyroid cysts possibly influences the association between height and active arterial wall thickening. We conducted a 2-year follow-up study of Japanese aged 60–69 years. For participants with thyroid cysts, height was significantly inversely associated with active arterial wall thickening (thyroid function and baseline CIMT adjusted odds ratio of active arterial wall thickening for one increment of standard deviation of height (5.7 cm for men and 4.8 cm for women), 0.66 [0.49, 0.89]), while for those without thyroid cysts, a positive tendency between the two parameters was observed (1.19 [0.96, 1.50]). An inverse association between height and active arterial wall thickening was observed only for elderly participants with thyroid cysts possibly because of a supportive role of thyroid hormone, as the absence of thyroid cysts might indicate latent damage in the thyroid