Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy as a Neurocardiogenic Injury after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Hemodynamics and Fluid Management

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a life-threatening systemic disorder that may occur early after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but precise hemodynamics and fluid management remain unclear. Although TCM is often regarded as a reversible or self-limited phenomenon, it contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality of SAH patients, especially when it is complicated with other neurogenic injuries such as severe left ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary edema, and pneumonia. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the current practice in intensive hemodynamic monitoring and goal-directed fluid management of post-SAH TCM using advanced hemodynamic devices based on our institutional protocol and the relevant literature and to evaluate their effects on clinical outcomes

Light activates the adrenal gland: Timing of gene expression and glucocorticoid release

SummaryLight is a powerful synchronizer of the circadian rhythms, and bright light therapy is known to improve metabolic and hormonal status of circadian rhythm sleep disorders, although its mechanism is poorly understood. In the present study, we revealed that light induces gene expression in the adrenal gland via the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-sympathetic nervous system. Moreover, this gene expression accompanies the surge of plasma and brain corticosterone levels without accompanying activation of the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial axis. The abolishment after SCN lesioning, and the day-night difference of light-induced adrenal gene expression and corticosterone release, clearly indicate that this phenomenon is closely linked to the circadian clock. The magnitude of corticostereone response is dose dependently correlated with the light intensity. The light-induced clock-dependent secretion of glucocorticoids adjusts cellular metabolisms to the new light-on environment

Measurement of submaximal aerobic power in children

PWC150 in 935 school children whose ages were ranged from 6 to 17 yrs, was measured using a computarized bicycle ergometer. The absolute values of boys increased with age, while thase of girls increased in like mannar until 11 yrs, but maintained the almost same level over 11 yrs. Sex difference was observed in the relative value of PWC150 to body weight. It was concluded that PWC150 was available for easy assessment of submaximal aerobic power in children although further researches were required for obtaining the reliable norm

Small Intestinal Involvement in FAP

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Small intestinal involvement in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) remains unclarified. We performed capsule endoscopy (CE) and balloon-assisted (BA) endoscopy to analyze small intestinal polyps and their genotype-phenotype correlations in a large cohort of FAP patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we performed CE in all 149 FAP patients and BA endoscopy in 74 patients with larger polyps. The prevalence of small intestinal adenoma with high-grade dysplasia and cancer was investigated. Correlation between APC variant and polyp phenotype was analyzed. RESULTS: Median patient age was 44 years and 69% were male. Pathogenic germline APC variants were found in 117/136 (86.1%). Overall prevalence and median number of small intestinal polyps were 85.2% (127/149) and 17 (IQR 6-36), respectively. A total of 5318 polyps were detected by CE and all 433 polyps histologically examined were confirmed as adenoma. The number of polyps significantly decreased from the proximal-to-distal tracts. Adenoma with high-grade dysplasia was detected in 26.2% (39/149), and its incidence among the polyps was approximately 1.4% (74/5318). Of these, 14 were intramucosal carcinomas with a prevalence of 5.4% (8/149). The germline APC variant in codon 1251-1580 was significantly correlated with a high number of small intestinal polyps. Multivariate analysis revealed APC variant in codon 1251-1580 and a high number of small intestinal polyps as independent risk factors for adenoma with high-grade dysplasia. Spigelman stage was significantly associated with number of jejunal/ileal polyps and their high-grade dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Among FAP patients, small intestinal adenoma with high-grade dysplasia was detected in 26.2% and cancer in 5.4%. FAP patients, particularly those with APC variant in codon 1251-1580 and/or high Spigelman stage may require surveillance for small intestinal polyps

Impact of Catheter Ablation on Brain Microstructure and Blood Flow Alterations for Cognitive Improvements in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Pilot Longitudinal Study

Atrial fibrillation (AF) predisposes patients to develop cognitive decline and dementia. Clinical and epidemiological data propose that catheter ablation may provide further benefit to improve neurocognitive function in patients with AF, but the underlying mechanism is poorly available. Here, we conducted a pilot prospective study to investigate whether AF ablation can alter regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and brain microstructures, using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique. Eight patients (63 ± 7 years) with persistent AF underwent arterial-spin labeling (ASL) perfusion, 3D T1-structural images and cognitive test batteries before and 6 months after intervention. ASL and structural MR images were spatially normalized, and the rCBF and cortical thickness of different brain areas were compared between pre- and 6-month post-treatment. Cognitive–psychological function was improved, and rCBF was significantly increased in the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) (p = 0.013), whereas decreased cortical thickness was found in the left posterior insular cortex (p = 0.023). Given that the PCC is a strategic site in the limbic system, while the insular cortex is known to play an important part in the central autonomic nervous system, our findings extend the hypothesis that autonomic system alterations are an important mechanism explaining the positive effect of AF ablation on cognitive function