Search

Objectives: We investigated the effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on S100A8 and S100A9 serum levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with low disease activity receiving immunosuppressants. Methods: SELENA-SLEDAI, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematous Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and serum levels of complement factors, anti-dsDNA antibodies, and white blood cell, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were used to evaluate disease activity, cutaneous disease activity, and immunological activity, respectively. Serum S100A8 and S100A9 were measured at HCQ administration and after 3 or 6 months using ELISA. Results: S100A8 and S100A9 serum levels were elevated at baseline and the magnitude of decrease from baseline at 3 and 6 months after HCQ administration was greater in patients with renal involvement than in those without (baseline: S100A8, p = 0.034; S100A9, p = 0.0084; decrease: S100A8, p = 0.049; S100A9, p = 0.023). S100 modulation was observed in patients with (n = 17; S100A8, p = 0.0011; S100A9, p = 0.0002) and without renal involvement (n = 20; S100A8, p = 0.0056; S100A9, p = 0.0012), and was more apparent in patients with improved CLASI activity scores (improved: S100A8, p = 0.013; S100A9, p = 0.0032; unimproved: S100A8, p = 0.055; S100A9, p = 0.055). No associations were observed for immunological biomarkers. Conclusion: HCQ may improve organ involvement in SLE by modulating S100 protein levels, especially in patients with renal or skin involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the difference between air displacement plethysmograph (ADP) and bioelectrical impedance (BI) for assessing body composition changes during weight loss in Japanese women.Cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation study.In a first cross-sectional study, we used data of 7380 Japanese women aged 14–83 years[body mass index (BMI): 22.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2] at baseline. Among the participants, we used data of 54 women (BMI: 25.9 ± 3.9 kg/m2) for a 5-month follow-up study.Body fat percentage was evaluated by ADP and BI, and body fat (kg) and lean body mass (kg) were calculated. Anthropometric parameters, such as height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio, were also measured. In a second longitudinal study, they were also investigated before and after the study.In a first cross-sectional study, body fat percentage was 31.2 ± 7.0% in ADP and 25.7 ± 6.8% in BI. A significant relationship was observed between ADP and BI (r = 0.761, p < 0.01). In a second longitudinal study, body weight was significantly reduced. There were significant method (ADP vs. BI) and time (pre and post) effects but no interactions in assessing body fat percentage. There was a significant relationship between ADP and BI in body fat percentage, body fat and lean body mass. Delta body fat percentage (r = 0.386, p < 0.01) and delta body fat (r = 0.556, p < 0.01) measured by ADP were weakly correlated with those measured by BI. However, delta lean body mass measured by ADP was not correlated with that measured by BI.There was a discrepancy between ADP and BI for assessing body composition changes in Japanese women. ADP is preferentially recommended for evaluating body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal obesity is a known risk factor for diabetes-related diseases. This study aimed to establish a formula to predict visceral abdominal fat area on the basis of simple clinical and anthropomorphic parameters easily measured in the clinic. We determined visceral fat (V) and subcutaneous fat (S) areas in 115 Japanese women using the standard procedure based on computed tomography (CT) at umbilical level. Furthermore, we measured clinical and anthropometric parameters including height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, skin fold thickness and body fat percentage. In 115 subjects, V area was 87.8±52.5 cm2 and S area was 221.1±99.7cm2. Abdominal obesity is diagnosed in Japan as a V area =100 cm2; on this basis 42 women (37%) had abdominal obesity. The prevalences of diabetes and related diseases were significantly higher among women with abdominal obesity. By simple regression analysis, V and S areas significantly correlated with anthropometric parameters: in particular, V area correlated with waist circumference (r=0.745,p<0.01) and S area with body mass index (r=0.793,p<0.01). However, these parameters were not sufficient to predict V area. By multiple regression analysis using simple parameters, we established the following formula to predict visceal fat: V area = 159.475 + 1.023(age) - 2.119(height) + 1.454(body weight) + 2.841(waist circumference) - 1.208(hip circumference) (r=0.812,p<0.01). The V area calculated by formula correlated (r=0.761) with that determined by CT in a second age-matched group of 31 Japanese women. The present study confirms that visceral adipose tissue is closely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension, and generated a formula to predict visceral adipose tissue accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the link between serum leptin concentrations and exercise. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of an exercise intervention. 110 Japanese overweight men aged 32–59 years were recruited. At baseline, the average body mass index (BMI) was 28.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2. From this group, we used data of 36 overweight men (BMI, 28.9 ± 2.3) for a 1-year exercise programme. Leptin was measured at baseline and after 1 year. Fat distribution was evaluated by visceral fat (V) and subcutaneous fat (S) areas measured with computed tomography (CT) scanning at umbilical levels. Anthropometric parameters, aerobic exercise level, muscle strength and flexibility were also investigated at baseline and after 1 year. In the first analysis, using cross-sectional data, leptin was significantly correlated with total body fat (r = 0.760, p < 0.01), V (r = 0.383, p < 0.01) and S (r = 0.617, p < 0.01) areas. In the second analysis, using longitudinal data, leptin was significantly reduced after 1 year (pre 6.7 ± 4.0 ng/ml vs. post 5.1 ± 3.1 ng/ml, p < 0.01). Results showed that steps per day were increased, and aerobic exercise level, weight-bearing index (WBI) and insulin resistance were significantly improved. Although, there was a positive correlation between Δ leptin(positive changes in leptin after 1 year) and anthropometric measurements such as Δ body weight, Δ BMI and Δ body fat, leptin/body weight, leptin/BMI and leptin/body fat ratios were significantly reduced during exercise intervention. The present study indicated exercise significantly lowers serum leptin concentrations, and thus it may improve the leptin resistance observed in overweight Japanese men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate whether the changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) concentrations before and after weight reduction in Japanese overweight men are associated with changes in body mass index (BMI), visceral, subcutaneous fat, VO2 and work rate (WR) at ventilatory threshold (VT). DESIGN:: Cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical intervention study with exercise education. SUBJECTS:: In total, 30 Japanese overweight men (BMI, 29.0±2.2?kg/m2) and 31 normal-weight men (BMI, 22.5±1.6?kg/m2) at baseline were enrolled: 30 overweight men (BMI, 29.0±2.2?kg/m2) were further enrolled into a 6-month exercise program. MEASUREMENTS:: Fat distribution evaluated by visceral fat (V) and subcutaneous fat (S) areas measured with computed tomography scanning at umbilical levels, angiogenic peptides including VEGF and bFGF, exercise tests at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS:: In normal-weight and overweight subjects at baseline, VEGF positively correlated with S area (r=0.350, P=0.007) but not with V area. In contrast, bFGF negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.619, P<0.001), S (r=-0.457, P<0.001) and V areas (r=-0.466, P<0.001). By intervention with exercise education, 30 overweight subjects showed reduction in BMI (29.0±2.2 to 28.0±2.0, P<0.001), V and S areas, increase in VO2 and WR at VT, increase in bFGF (9.21±5.82-21.2±7.04?ng/ml, P<0.001), and no change in VEGF (1.45±0.72-1.88±0.52?ng/ml, P=0.016). The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that ?BMI (ß=-6.052) and ?VO2 (ß=2.806) were independently related to ?bFGF (P<0.001) and all other variables including ?S area, and ?V area, and ?WR did not enter the equation at significant levels. CONCLUSION:: The present study indicated a negative correlation between serum bFGF levels and BMI at baseline as well as an association of ?BMI and ?VO2 with ?bFGF after exercise intervention. The exercise-induced elevation of bFGF may be beneficial in the prevention of the atherosclerosis in overweight subjects.International Journal of Obesity (2003) 27, 1325-1331. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802408 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. The authors describe a case of indirect carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) appearing five months after embolization for traumatic direct CCF, which was treated six months after the trauma. Long-term (six months) venous hypertension to the affected cavernous sinus due to direct CCF and cavernous sinus thrombosis following a balloon embolization were considered as an etiology of the de novo dural arteriovenous fistula. The recurrent symptoms of CCF are usually related to detached balloon disorder, but delayed recurrence may be caused by the de novo dural AVF, if the direct CCF was treated in the chronic state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the changes in IGF-I concentrations after weight reduction in Japanese overweight men are associated with changes in visceral and subcutaneous fat. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical intervention study with exercise education. SUBJECTS: One-hundred and twelve Japanese overweight men aged 30-59 y (body mass index (BMI) 28.4 ± 2.5 kg/m²) and 33 normal-weight men aged 30-39 y (BMI 22.1 ± l.5 kg/m²) at baseline. From the participants, 56 randomly selected overweight men (BMI 28.8 ± 2.8) were further enrolled into a 1 y exercise program. MEASUREMENTS: Fat distribution was evaluated by visceral fat (V) and subcutaneous fat (S) areas measured with computed tomography scanning at umbilical levels, metabolic parameters and hormones including insulin, leptin and IGF-I at baseline and after 1 y. RESULTS: In 112 overweight subjects at baseline, insulin (10.5 ± 5.0 µU/ml) and leptin (6.4 ± 3.7 ng/ml) significantly correlated with both V (r = 0.260, P = 0.0073; r = 0.410, P < 0.0001) and S areas (r = 0.377, P < 0.0001; r = 0.613, P < 0.0001), respectively. IGF-I (156.8 ± 48.7 µU/ml) significantly and negatively correlated with V area (r = -0.242, P = 0.0125) and age (r = -0.192, P = 0.0480). In normal-weight men aged 30-39 y (n = 33) and age-matched subjects (n = 30) selected from the 112 overweight men, the serum IGF-I further tightly correlated with V area (r = -0.467, P < 0.0001). Visceral fat area and age were independently related to serum IGF-I levels by multiple regression analysis. By intervention with exercise education, 56 overweight subjects showed an increase in daily steps (6224 ± 2781 to 7898 ± 4141 steps/day) and reduction of BMI (28.8 ± 2.8 to 27.7 ± 2.9). ΔIGF-I significantly correlated with ΔV area (r = -0.432, P = 0.0009) but not with ΔS area or ΔBMI. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated a... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryA new device based on the plethysmographic measurement of body volume, named the BOD POD Body Composition System, was developed for the purpose of estimating body composition. The performance, reliability, validity, and clinical application of this system were evaluated in Japanese subjects. The coefficient variation (CV:%) in same-day tests was 2.48, in three separate-day tests it was 2.27, and for independent operators it was 4.53, respectively. There was a clear correlation between the results from BOD POD and those from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) (r = 0.910, p < 0.01). Finally, the fat body composition of 4489 subjects (1499 men, 2990 women) was clinically measured by BOD POD. The findings indicate that the BOD POD is a highly reliable and valid method for determining body fat percentage. This new method has several advantages, e.g. it is quick, simple to operate and may accommodate wide populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposes a Magnetically Super Resolution for Read Only Memory (MSR-ROM) technique for high density magnetic recording. Utilization of differences in coercivity; Coercivity control of magneto-optical film; Dependence of coercivity enhancement on substrate surface roughness structure.

Presents a letter to the editor about newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with rapid severe thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, published in the September 1, 1998 issue of the medical journal "Nephron."