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Background: Echocardiography remains the most widely used modality to assess left ventricular (LV) chamber size and function. Currently this assessment is most frequently performed using two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. However, three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography has been shown to be more accurate and reproducible than 2D echocardiography. Current normative reference values for 3D LV analysis are based predominantly on data from North America and Europe. The World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography study was designed to sample normal subjects from around the world to provide more universal global reference ranges. The aim of this study was to assess the worldwide feasibility of LV 3D echocardiography and report on size and functional measurements. Methods: A total of 2,262 healthy subjects were prospectively enrolled from 19 centers in 15 countries. Three-dimensional LV full-volume data sets were obtained and analyzed offline using vendor-neutral software. Measurements included LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), and global circumferential strain. Results were categorized by age (18-40, 41-65, and >65 years), sex, and race. Results: A total of 1,589 subjects (feasibility 70%) had adequate LV data sets for analysis. Mean normal values for indexed end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and LVEF in men and women were 70 ± 15 and 65 ± 12 mL/m2, 28 ± 7 and 25 ± 6 mL/m2, and 60 ± 5% and 62 ± 5%, respectively. Men had larger LV volumes and lower LVEFs than women. GLS and global circumferential strain were higher in magnitude in women. In both sexes, LV volumes were lower and LVEF tended to be higher with increasing age, especially considering the differences between the youngest and oldest age groups. Although GLS was similar across age groups in men, in women, the youngest and middle-age cohorts revealed higher magnitudes of GLS compared with the oldest age group. Global circumfere

Background: Assessment of cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) is essential to understand cardiac function and hemodynamics. These parameters can be examined using three echocardiographic techniques (pulsed-wave Doppler, two-dimensional [2D], and three-dimensional [3D]). Whether these methods can be used interchangeably is unclear. The influence of age, sex, and ethnicity on CO and SV has also not been examined in depth. In this report from the World Alliance of Societies of Echocardiography Normal Values Study, the authors compare CO and SV in healthy adults according to age, sex, ethnicity, and measurement techniques. Methods: A total of 1,450 adult subjects (53% men) free of heart, lung, and kidney disease were prospectively enrolled in 15 countries, with even distributions among age groups and sex. Subjects were divided into three age groups (young, 18–40 years; middle aged, 41–65 years; and old, >65 years) and three main racial groups (whites, blacks, and Asians). CO and SV were indexed (cardiac index [CI] and SV index [SVI], respectively) to body surface area and height and measured using three echocardiographic methods: Doppler, 2D, and 3D. Images were analyzed at two core laboratories (one each for 2D and 3D). Results: CI and SVI were significantly lower by 2D compared with both Doppler and 3D methods in both sexes. SVI was significantly lower in women than men by all three methods, while CI differed only by 2D. SVI decreased with aging by all three techniques, whereas CI declined only with 2D and 3D. CO and SV were smallest in Asians and largest in whites, and the differences persisted after normalization for body surface area. Conclusions: The present results provide normal reference values for CO and SV, which differ by age, sex, and race. Furthermore, CI and SVI measurements by the different echocardiographic techniques are not interchangeable. All these factors need to be taken into account when evaluating cardiac function and hemodynamics in i

Background: The World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography study is a multicenter, international, prospective, cross-sectional study whose aims were to evaluate healthy adult individuals to establish age- and sex-normative values of echocardiographic parameters and to determine whether differences exist among people from different countries and of different ethnicities. The present report focuses on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) right atrial (RA) size and function. Methods: Transthoracic 2D and 3D echocardiographic images were obtained in 2,008 healthy adult individuals evenly distributed among subgroups according to sex (1,033 men, 975 women) and age 18 to 40 years (n = 854), 41 to 65 years (n = 653), and >65 years (n = 501). For ethnicity, 34.9% were white, 41.6% Asian, and 9.7% black. Images were analyzed in a core laboratory according to current American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines. RA measurements included 2D dimensions, 2D and 3D RA volumes (RAVs) indexed to body surface area (BSA), emptying fraction (EmF), and global longitudinal strain, including total/reservoir, passive/conduit, and active/contractile phases. Differences among age and sex categories and among countries were also examined. Results: RAVs were larger in men (even after BSA indexing), while 3D total EmF and global longitudinal strain magnitudes were higher in women. For both sexes, there were no significant age-related differences in 2D RAV measurements, but 3D RAV values differed minimally with age, remaining significant after BSA indexing. RA total EmF and reservoir strain and passive EmF and conduit strain magnitude were lower in older groups for both sexes. Interestingly, whereas RA active EmF increased with age, contractile strain magnitude decreased. Considerable geographic variations were identified: Asians of both sexes had significantly lower BSA than non-Asians, and their 2D and 3D end-systolic RAVs were

Background: The World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) study was conducted to describe echocardiographic normal values in adults and to compare races and nationalities using a uniform acquisition and measurement protocol. This report focuses on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. Methods: WASE is an international, cross-sectional study. Participants were enrolled with equal distribution according to age and gender. Echocardiograms were analyzed in a core laboratory based on the latest American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines. Left ventricular diastolic function was assessed by E, E/A, e' velocities, E/e', left atrial volume index (LAVI), and tricuspid regurgitation velocity. Determination of LV diastolic function was made using the algorithm proposed by the guidelines. Results: A total of 2,008 subjects from 15 countries were enrolled. The majority were of white or Asian race (42.8%, 41.8%, respectively). E and E/e' were higher in female patients, while LAVI was similar in both genders. Consistent increase in E/e' and decrease in E/A, E, and e' were found as age increased. The upper limit of normal for LAVI was higher in WASE compared with the guidelines. The lower limits of normal for e' were smaller in elder groups than those in the guidelines, while the upper limits of normal for E/e' were below the guideline values. These findings suggest that the cutoff value for LAVI should be shifted upward and age-specific cutoff values for e' should be considered. In WASE, <93.6% of patients were classified as normal LV diastolic function using the guidelines' algorithm, and the proportion increased to 97.4% when applying the revised cutoff values for LAVI obtained in our study. Conclusions: Guideline-recommended normal values for e' velocities and LAVI should be reconsidered. The algorithm for the determination of LV diastolic function proposed by the guidelines is useful, but adjustments to LAVI c

Background: Recently, the development of information and communication technology (ICT) has been remarkable utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology with deep learning. Three-dimension (3-D) image analysis technology has developed using computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Among them, SYNAPSE VINCENT system (Fujifilm, Japan) is known for its predominance. Patient and Method: The patient is a 52-year-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who was suspected to have space occupying lesion (SOL) in the right kidney. Method included the investigation of enhanced abdominal CT with analysis of SYNAPSE VINCENT. Results: The detail analysis showed some findings as follows: i) coronal view of bilateral kidney shows well-enhanced left adrenal tumour, no apparent of right renal tumour, and atrophy of renal cortex, ii) the image rotated 30 degrees showed same findings, iii) the image rotated 180 degrees also showed atrophy of reverse side of right kidney. Discussion: In this case, the background of the atrophy of renal cortex has not been apparent, but it might be from diabetic nephropathy (DN). The application of VINCENT has expanded to various organs, such as liver, pancreas, biliary tract, and others, expecting augmentation of articulate data using 3D image analysis.

Background: Authors and researchers have continued clinical practice and research of diabetes and endocrinology for long. As a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) was applied to patient with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and investigated. Case Presentation: Case is 51-year-old male patient with T2D for 8 years. His diabetic control was exacerbated to HbA1c 8.5% in autumn 2021, and then Rybelsus was administered for increasing doses of 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg per day. The results showed improvement of HbA1c 8.5% to 7.1% and weight 96kg to 91kg for 3 months. Discussion and conclusion: Current remarkable effect may be from the characteristic benefit of Rybelsus. It is provided per os with 50-120 ml of water in the early morning, and after that at least 30 min of fasting time period is required. As fasting time is longer, the Rybelsus concentration in the blood and clinical efficacy become higher. The case has daily habit of no breakfast for long, and fasting time was about 3-4 hours. This situation may be one of the main reasons for remarkable efficacy. Current case will become an impressive reference for clinical effect of Rybelsus in patient with T2D.

Background: The World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) Normal Values Study evaluates individuals from multiple countries and races with the aim of describing normative values that could be applied to the global community worldwide and to determine differences and similarities among people from different countries and races. The present report focuses specifically on two-dimensional (2D) left ventricular (LV) dimensions, volumes, and systolic function. Methods: The WASE Normal Values Study is a multicenter international, observational, prospective, cross-sectional study of healthy adult individuals. Participants recruited in each country were evenly distributed among six predetermined subgroups according to age and gender. Comprehensive 2D transthoracic echocardiograms were acquired and analyzed following strict protocols based on recent American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines. Analysis was performed at the WASE 2D core laboratory and included 2D LV dimensions, LV volumes, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) by the biplane Simpson method and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Results: Two thousand eight subjects were enrolled in 15 countries. The median age was 45 years (interquartile range, 32–65 years), 42.8% were white, 41.8% were Asian, and 9.7% were black. LV dimensions and volumes were larger in male subjects, while LVEF and GLS were higher in female subjects. Global WASE normal ranges for LV dimensions were smaller than those in the guidelines, but the upper limits of normal for LV volumes and the lower limits of normal for LVEF were higher in the WASE study. Significant intercountry variation was identified for all LV parameters reflecting LV size (dimensions, mass, and volumes) even after indexing to body surface area, with LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes having the highest variation. The largest volumes were noted in Australia, while the smallest were measured in India for both gen

Authors and collaborators have continued diabetic practice and research on low carbohydrate diet (LCD), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and so on. The case is a 64-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with multiple daily insulin injections (MDI). When his HbA1c was 8.2% before, he changed to take tofu instead of rice and bread. HbA1c decreased to 7.1% and 4kg of weight reduction in 2 months. Tofu is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans, which is a suitable LCD with Protein:Fat:Carbohydrate (PFC) ratio=40:45:15 in this case. His HbA1c is recently unstable, then glucose variability was investigated by CGM using FreeStyle Libre. The glucose pattern was different due to his lifestyle, including working day, off day, playing golf, respectively. The average glucose was 143-167 mg/dL and the estimated HbA1c was 7.1%, whereas HbA1c in outclinic was 8.1%, respectively. This report will hopefully become reference data for future research.

Background: Recent diabetic treatments include Insulin Degludec/ liraglutide (IDeg/Lira, Xultophy) in clinical practice. Authors have continued clinical research concerning diabetes, chronic renal failure, dialysis, and others. Subjects and Methods: Ten patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing hemodialysis were investigated. They showed that ages 74.5 ± 5.9 years, M/F=6/4, BMI 21.1± 3.8kg/m2, hemodialysis duration 8.1 ± 5.7 years. At the beginning, fundamental data were Cre 8.2 ± 1.9 mg/dL, HbA1c 6.5 ± 0.8%. Xultophy was started on 5-12 doses and continued for 6 months with the same or 1-4 increased doses for better glycemic variability. Results: Out of 10 subjects, the changes in HbA1c showed a decrease in 7, stable in 2, and an increase in 1. HbA1c value was 6.2 ± 0.8% in average at 6 months. There were no remarkable adverse effects by Xultophy for 6 months. Discussion and Conclusion: Xultophy was started at 5-12 doses, which were remarkably lower doses than usual doses with satisfactory efficacy. One of the reasons may be from the characteristic of the patients, who were diabetic with undergoing hemodialysis. Another factor is possibly from liraglutide, which has hepatic clearance with potential vascular protective effects. These results are expected to become reference data for future research.

This work reports on the unstable region and the transition process of the boundary-layer flow induced by a rotating cone with a half apex angle of 60 degrees using the probability density function (PDF) contour map of the azimuthal velocity fluctuation, which was first used by Imayama et al. [Phys. Fluids 24, 031701 (2012)] for the similar boundary-layer flow induced by a rotating disk. The PDF shows that the transition behavior of the rotating-cone flow is similar to that on the rotating disk. The effects of roughness elements on the cone surface have been examined. For the cone with roughnesses, we reconstructed the most probable vortex structure within the boundary layer from the hot-wire anemometry time signals. The results show that the PDF clearly describes the overturning process of the high-momentum upwelling of the spiral vortices, which due to vortex meandering cannot be detected in the phase-averaged velocity field reconstructed from the point measurements. At a late stage of the overturning process, our hot-wire measurements captured high-frequency oscillations, which may be related to secondary instability., QC 20200414