Smoking cessation is associated with increased plasma adiponectin levels in men

SummaryObjectivesLow levels of adiponectin, an adipocytokine with anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenic properties, are associated with increased risk of future myocardial infarction in men. Previous studies have demonstrated that cigarette smoking is involved in the development of insulin resistance, and current smokers have been shown to have reduced plasma adiponectin levels. However, the influence of smoking cessation on adiponectin levels remains unknown. We sought to assess whether smoking cessation is associated with increased plasma adiponectin levels in men.MethodsThe study includes 72 men (47 non-smokers and 25 current smokers at baseline) with stable angina pectoris who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and follow-up coronary angiography 6 months later. During the 6-month follow-up period, all 47 non-smokers remained non-smokers, while 15 men of the 25 baseline current smokers successfully quit smoking. We evaluated plasma adiponectin levels at coronary intervention and 6 months later.ResultsPlasma adiponectin levels at coronary intervention were comparable to those after 6 months in non-smokers (4.22 [3.15–6.43] vs. 4.58 [3.03–6.26]μg/mL, P=0.124) and in persistent smokers (4.77 [4.25–10.53] vs. 5.16 [4.11–8.10]μg/mL, P=0.721). Meanwhile, an increase in adiponectin level was observed in patients who quit smoking for 6 months (4.24 [3.30–5.70] vs. 5.50 [4.03–8.00]μg/mL, P=0.002). Univariate analysis revealed that the percent increase in adiponectin levels correlated positively with smoking cessation (P=0.003) and negatively with additional use of β-blockers (P=0.049). In addition, increases in adiponectin levels were closely associated with increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.148), decrease in triglycerides (P=0.140), and additional use of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors (P=0.069). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that smoking cessation was an independent determinant of the increase in adiponectin (P=0.036).ConclusionsSmoking cessation is associated with increased plasma adiponectin levels in men with stable angina, suggesting that the significance of smoking cessation may be partly explained by the increase in adiponectin level

Integration of In Vivo Genotoxicity and Short-term Carcinogenicity Assays Using F344 gpt Delta Transgenic Rats: In Vivo Mutagenicity of 2,4-Diaminotoluene and 2,6-Diaminotoluene Structural Isomers

An important trend in current toxicology is the replacement, reduction, and refinement of the use of experimental animals (the 3R principle). We propose a model in which in vivo genotoxicity and short-term carcinogenicity assays are integrated with F344 gpt delta transgenic rats. Using this model, the genotoxicity of chemicals can be identified in target organs using a shuttle vector λ EG10 that carries reporter genes for mutations; short-term carcinogenicity is determined by the formation of glutathione S-transferase placenta form (GST-P) foci in the liver. To begin validating this system, we examined the genotoxicity and hepatotoxicity of structural isomers of 2,4-diaminotoluene (2,4-DAT) and 2,6-diaminotoluene (2,6-DAT). Although both compounds are genotoxic in the Ames/Salmonella assay, only 2,4-DAT induces tumors in rat livers. Male F344 gpt delta rats were fed diet containing 2,4-DAT at doses of 125, 250, or 500 ppm for 13 weeks or 2,6-DAT at a dose of 500 ppm for the same period. The mutation frequencies of base substitutions, mainly at G:C base pairs, were significantly increased in the livers of 2,4-DAT–treated rats at all three doses. In contrast, virtually no induction of genotoxicity was identified in the kidneys of 2,4-DAT–treated rats or in the livers of 2,6-DAT–treated rats. GST-P–positive foci were detected in the livers of rats treated with 2,4-DAT at a dose of 500 ppm but not in those treated with 2,6-DAT. Integrated genotoxicity and short-term carcinogenicity assays may be useful for early identifying genotoxic and nongenotoxic carcinogens in a reduced number of experimental animals

Accumulation of Pericardial Fat Correlates with Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Normal Ejection Fraction

Background Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) plays an important role inheart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Obesity is one ofthe major comorbid conditions of LVDD. Pericardial fat (PF) is an ectopic fat depotwith possible paracrine or mechanical effects on the coronary circulation and35 myocardial function.Methods We measured PF volume on 64 slice computed tomography and analyzedechocardiographic parameters to confirm LVDD in 229 consecutive patients suspectedof coronary artery disease with LVEF of more than 50% and no symptomatic heartfailure (59% men, 67±12 years). LVDD was defined as the ratio of transmitral40 Doppler early filling velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity(E/e’) >10.Results PF volume correlated significantly with E/e’ (r=0.21, p<0.01), left ventricularmass index (r=0.23, p<0.001), and left atrial diameter (r=0.32, p<0.001). The mean PFvolume was significantly greater in patients with LVDD (184±61 cm3, n=141) than in45 those without LVDD (154±58, n=88, p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regressionanalysis indicated that PF volume correlated significantly with the presence of LVDD(odds ratio: 2.00 per 100 cm3 increase in PF volume, p=0.02) independent of age,gender, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.Conclusions PF volumes are significantly associated with LVDD, independent of50 other factors such as hypertension or diabetes. PF may be implicated in the pathogenesis of LVDD in patients with normal LVEF

Fabrication of Three-Layer-Component Organoclay Hybrid Films with Reverse Deposition Orders by a Modified Langmuir–Schaefer Technique and Their Pyroelectric Currents Measured by a Noncontact Method

In an aqueous clay mineral (montmorillonite) dispersion at a low concentration, isolated clay nanosheets with negative charges were suspended. When a solution of amphiphilic octadecylammonium chloride (ODAH⁺Cl^–) was spread on an air-dispersion interface, the clay nanosheets were adsorbed on the ODAH⁺ cations at the interface to form a stable ultrathin floating film. The floating film was transferred onto a substrate by the Schaefer method, and then the film was immersed in a [Ru­(dpp)₃]­Cl₂ (dpp = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) solution. The Ru­(II) complex cations were adsorbed on the film surface because the film surface possessed a cation-exchange ability. The layers of ODAH⁺, clay nanosheets, and [Ru­(dpp)₃]²⁺ were deposited in this order. By repeating these procedures, three-layer-component films were fabricated (OCR films). In a similar way, three-layer-component films in which the layers of [Ru­(dpp)₃]²⁺, clay nanosheets, and ODAH⁺ were deposited in the reverse order (RCO films) were prepared by spreading a [Ru­(dpp)₃]­(ClO₄)₂ solution and immersing the films in an ODAH⁺Cl^– solution. Both OCR and RCO films were characterized by surface pressure–molecular area (π–<i>A</i>) curve measurements, IR and visible spectroscopy, and the XRD method. The OCR and RCO film systems possessed nearly the same properties in the densities of ODAH⁺ and [Ru­(dpp)₃]²⁺ and the tilt angle of the Ru­(II) complex cation, although the layer distance for the RCO film was a little longer than that for the OCR film and the layered structure for the RCO film was less ordered than that for the OCR film. Pyroelectric currents for the films were measured by a noncontact method using an ²⁴¹Am radioactive electrode. When the films were heated, the pyroelectric currents were observed and the current directions for the OCR and RCO films were different. This was clear evidence that the layer order in the OCR film was reverse of that in the RCO film

Current status of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreatectomy

This review describes the recent advances in, and current status of, minimally invasive pancreatic surgery (MIPS). Typical MIPS procedures are laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD), laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP), laparoscopic central pancreatectomy (LCP), and laparoscopic total pancreatectomy (LTP). Some retrospective studies comparing LPD or LDP and open procedures have demonstrated the safety and feasibility as well as the intraoperative outcomes and postoperative recovery of these procedures. In contrast, LCP and LTP have not been widely accepted as common laparoscopic procedures owing to their complicated reconstruction and limited indications. Nevertheless, our concise review reveals that LCP and LTP performed by expert laparoscopic surgeons can result in good short-term and long-term outcomes. Moreover, as surgeons’ experience with laparoscopic techniques continues to grow around the world, new innovations and breakthroughs in MIPS will evolve. Well-designed and suitably powered randomized controlled trials of LPD, LDP, LCP, and LTP are now warranted to demonstrate the superiority of these procedures