Harumi Koibuchi

Relationship between Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Subjects with Hypercholesterolemia

Objective: It was the aim of this study to investigate whether there is any relationship between oxidative stress, as assessed by the diacron reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) test, and carotid atherosclerosis among hypercholesterolemic patients. Subjects and Methods: A well-defined group of patients with type II hypercholesterolemia (n = 81, mean age 59 years) was studied to observe the correlation between the levels of serum d-ROMs and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) using B-mode ultrasound, in relation to the traditional atherosclerotic risk factors (age, sex, smoking, body mass index, blood pressure, glucose and lipid panels). Results: The mean level in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in this population was 4.45 mmol/l, d-ROMs were 323.2 Carr U, and IMT was 0.91 mm. A multiple regression analysis revealed a positive and significant correlation between IMT and d-ROMs (β = 0.27, p < 0.05), along with age and LDL-C. Conclusion: These results indicate that the increased oxidative stress levels using the d-ROM test, independent of aging and increased LDL-C levels, may be associated with carotid atherosclerosis even in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Degradation of ultrasound probes caused by disinfection with alcohol.

The aim of this study was to clarify the degree of degradation of ultrasonic probes that results from their disinfection with alcohol. No defect in the ultrasound beams was found in any of the probes, but a significant decrease of the brightness was found after a certain period of use of the linear-type probe. Disinfection with alcohol may degrade ultrasound probes despite its high degree of effectiveness in preventing iatrogenic bacterial transmission.

Evaluation of procedures for decontaminating ultrasound probes

PurposeTo determine suitable procedures for decontaminating ultrasound probes.MethodsWe investigated bacterial transmission via ultrasound probes that were not wiped, wiped with a plain paper towel, or wiped with an ethanol-soaked paper towel.ResultsThe unwiped probes transmitted large numbers of bacteria, which were markedly reduced by wiping the probes with a plain paper towel, and almost completely eliminated by wiping with an ethanol-soaked paper towel.ConclusionImproperly decontaminated ultrasound probes can transmit bacteria among patients. Ultrasound probes should be decontaminated by wiping with a paper towel after examinations to prevent bacterial transmission. Plain or ethanol-soaked paper towels should be used depending on the situation.

An unusual case of a glomus tumor developing in a subcutaneous vein of the wrist

Glomus tumors are benign tumors that originate in a neuromyoarterial glomus body and most commonly occur in the subungual regions. We present an unusual case of a glomus tumor in a subcutaneous vein of the dorsum of the wrist in a 65‐year‐old man and describe its gray‐scale and power Doppler sonographic appearance, with a brief discussion of the clinical and histologic findings.

The Relationship Between Serum C-Reactive Protein and Daily Physical Activity in Japanese Hypertensive Patients

Hypertension (HT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The current studys purpose was to investigate the relationship between serum CRP levels and daily lifestyles, including physical activity, in Japanese HT patients. Lifestyle factors, blood pressure (BP), blood cholesterol, glucose, and CRP were measured in a total of 312 HT patients (153 men//159 women, mean age: 62.6 y). Women with physical activity of ≥ 1 time//week showed significantly lower CRP levels than those without it (p < 0.05). The data suggest that regular physical activity could reduce the CRP levels in HT patients, thereby maybe preventing CVD.

Coexistence of Papillary Thyroid Cancer and Hashimoto Thyroiditis in Children Report of 3 Cases

This report documents 3 pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma cases with associated Hashimoto thyroiditis. In all 3 cases, hypoechoic nodules accompanied by multiple echogenic spots were noted on sonography of the thyroid. Hashimoto thyroiditis was suspected on the basis of positive thyroid autoantibody test results and pathologic examinations of thyroidectomy specimens, which revealed chronic thyroiditis with lymphocytic infiltration as the background of papillary thyroid carcinoma development. The potential for papillary carcinoma development warrants close follow‐up, and meticulous sonographic examinations must be performed in children with Hashimoto thyroiditis.

The effects of lifestyle modification on a new oxidized low-density lipoprotein marker, serum amyloid A-LDL, in subjects with primary lipid disorder

BACKGROUND Lifestyle modification improves the pathophysiology of lipid disorder, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). While oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) may be involved in this mechanism, various oxLDL measurements have recently been developed and therefore further detailed studies are called for in this area. Our aim was to investigate the effects of lifestyle modification on serum amyloid A-LDL (SAA-LDL), a new oxLDL, in subjects with primary lipid disorder. METHODS A total of 141 asymptomatic subjects (women/men=100/41, mean age 57.6 years) with>or=1 lipid abnormality (circulating high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and triglyceride [TG] or low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]), who completed a 6-month lifestyle modification program in combination with diet and exercise, were analyzed. In the pre- and post-intervention, the metabolic variables including SAA-LDL were assessed. RESULTS During our intervention, the body mass index, blood pressure, LDL-C, TG, glucose and SAA-LDL significantly decreased, while HDL-C significantly increased. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the change levels of TG (positive) and HDL-C (inverse) were significantly and independently correlated to those of SAA-LDL. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that SAA-LDL may contribute to the link between lipid disorder and the development of CVD, and that the application of SAA-LDL measurements may be useful for the assessment of the risk of CVD as a biochemical marker.

Comparison of methods for evaluating bacterial contamination of ultrasound probes

PurposeTo determine suitable methods for evaluating bacterial contamination of ultrasound probes.MethodsWe compared probe imprinting, swab streaking, and swab suspension methods for evaluating bacterial contamination of ultrasound probes.ResultsExperimental and clinical investigations showed that the sensitivity for detecting bacterial contamination of ultrasound probes was higher with probe imprinting than with swab methods. Probe imprinting was very simple and required only agar plates.ConclusionProbe imprinting was the most suitable method for evaluating bacterial contamination of ultrasound probes.

New method of sentinel node detection using a combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and dye guidance: an animal study

PurposeTo determine whether a combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided methods and dye-guided methods can identify sentinel lymph nodes in animals.MethodsSeven pigs were put under general anesthesia and injected subcutaneously in the neck: three with 2 ml saline and four with 2 ml fluid comprising 0.4 ml 5% patent blue violet solution and 1.6 ml of hydroxyethylated starch (Salinhes) solution (PB + HS). The regional lymph nodes were observed by ultrasound; blue-stained regional lymph nodes found after the skin was cut were situated as ultrasound had shown they would be.ResultsThe regional lymph nodes of the pigs given saline were unchanged, but in the pigs receiving PB + HS, the echo level in the lymph nodes nearest the injection site was altered, producing a clear contrast with the surrounding tissues. The area of the relevant regional lymph node in each PB + HS-injected pig increased significantly (t-test, P < 0.01; from 25.7, 39.6, 9.36, 70.2 mm2, and mean, 36.2 mm2; to 50.7, 65.5, 21.1, 98.3 mm2, and mean, 58.9 mm2, respectively). These enlarged regional lymph nodes were easily found by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. When excised under ultrasound guidance, all were stained blue, indicating that they were sentinel lymph nodes.ConclusionThese results suggest that this combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided and dye-guided methods warrants use as a quick, simple procedure for detecting sentinel lymph nodes.

The effectiveness of “Protex” for disinfection of the ultrasound probe

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of “Protex” (Parker; Fairfield, NJ, USA) for disinfection of ultrasound probes. We examined bacterial contamination on ultrasound probes that were wiped with a plain paper towel, with a plain and an ethanol-soaked paper towel, or with a plain and Protex-soaked paper towel. The plain paper towel was used to remove the gel, and was contaminated by large numbers of bacteria, but the use of ethanol-soaked paper towels and that of paper towels soaked in Protex™ broad-spectrum disinfectant (Parker: Fairfield, NJ, USA) reduced those numbers markedly.