SummaryAn infl ammatory response is a key event for endothelial dysfunction. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an infl ammatory protein produced at infl ammation sites such as leukocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Here, we compared the relationships between endothelial function assessed by fl ow-mediated dilation (FMD), and the levels of plasma PTX3 and highsensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), another infl ammatory protein of the pentraxin family.Levels of FMD, PTX3 and hsCRP were measured twice within 6 to 8 months and retrospectively analyzed in 36 patients with coronary artery disease. We examined the associations between the values of FMD and the levels of PTX3 and hsCRP at the fi rst measurement, and between the change ratios (second value/fi rst value) of these parameters.Univariate linear regression analysis showed signifi cantly negative correlations between FMD values and PTX3 and hsCRP levels at the fi rst measurement, and signifi cant associations with taking statins or calcium antagonists. Multivariate linear stepwise regression analysis identifi ed PTX3 levels and taking statins and calcium antagonists as independent factors for endothelial function. The change ratio of FMD correlated more closely with that of PTX3 than of hsCRP (r = -0.446, P = 0.006 versus r = -0.330, P = 0.050). Signifi cantly more patients with decreased FMD values had increased levels of PTX3 than those of hsCRP at the second measurement compared with the fi rst measurement. Furthermore, the ratio of patients with increased PTX3, but not increased hsCRP, was signifi cantly reduced among those with increased, rather than decreased, FMD values.Endothelial dysfunction might be more accurately predicted by plasma PTX3 levels than by serum hsCRP levels. (Int Heart J 2014; 55: 160-164)

Higher levels of systemic PTX3 are associated with TCFA. Systemic PTX3 levels comprise a useful inflammatory marker that reflects coronary plaque vulnerability.

The preparation and response features of a micrometer-sized sodium ion-selective fiber optode based on a liquid membrane were described. The sensing membrane is a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)-based copolymer with a neutral sodium ionophore and an anionic dye. To fabricate a micrometer-sized fiber optode, a “micropipet fabrication method” was proposed to fix a liquid membrane-based optode on the small tip of an optical fiber probe, in which the optode size can be varied from ∼1 μm to more than 10 μm. Our first optode incorporated a 16-crown-5 derivative as the neutral sodium ionophore and a dibromofluorescein derivative as the single-emission anionic dye. The sensor response was monitored by measuring the fluorescence intensity under a time-resolved photon-counting method. At the first stage of the investigation, it was found that the ionophore including a sodium ion in its cavity leached from the membrane phase. However, we have discovered that the problem can be resolved by using a “tailed” ionophore, which is an ionophore possessing a lipophilic long alkyl chain. The “tail” of the ionophore functions as an “anchor” that prevents leaching of the ionophore from the membrane phase into the water phase. The anchor effect of the tailed ionophore was clearly demonstrated with 6-μm-sized sodium ion-selective optodes. Using a 3-μm-sized optode, the sensor response was examined and successfully explained by the response theory. The size limitation of the optode was also examined using the response features of a 1.5-μm-sized fiber optode. The second optode incorporated a tailed 16-crown-5 derivative as the neutral sodium ionophore and a coumarin derivative as the dual-emission anionic dye. The second optode is more practical than the first optode because the problem of fluorescence distortion due to photobleaching and solvent effect is resolved by ratiometric calibration where the sensor response is monitored by the spectral shift of the dual-emission fluorescence. The sensor response of an 8-μm-sized fiber optode having ratiometric calibration was examined and successfully explained by the response theory.

Aims: Echocardiography is widely used for screening of pulmonary hypertension (PH). More recently developed two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) can assess regional deformation of the myocardium and is useful for detecting left ventricular dysfunction. However, its usefulness to assess right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is not clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the ability of peak systolic strain (PSS) and post-systolic strain index (PSI) at the RV free wall determined by 2D-STE to detect PH.Main methods: Thirty-six images (27 images from PH patients, nine from patients with connective tissue disease without PH) obtained by 2D-STE were analysed. We investigated the relationship between RV hemodynamics measured by right heart catheterization and PSS, PSI and other echocardiographic parameters reflecting RV overload including RV end-diastolic diameter (RVDd) and tricuspid valve regurgitant pressure gradient (TRPG).Key findings: PSS, PSI, RVDd and TRPG were all correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Furthermore, when PSS and MPAP were measured twice, the change in PSS was correlated with the change in MPAP (r=0.633, p=0.037). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified PSS as the only independent factor associated with MPAP≥35 mmHg [odds ratio (OR), 1.616; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.017-2.567; p=0.042] and PVR≥400 dyne·sec·cm -5 (OR, 1.804; 95% CI 1.131-2.877; p=0.013). Furthermore, the optimal PSS cut-off value to detect an elevated MPAP and PVR was -20.75%, based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.Significance: PSS of the RV free wall might serve as a useful non-invasive 2 indicator of PH.

Abstract. Present-day landscapes have evolved over time through interactions between the prevailing climates and geological settings. Understanding the linkage between spatial patterns of landforms, soils, and vegetation in landscapes and their hydrological response is critical to make quantitative predictions in ungaged basins. Catchment coevolution is a theoretical framework that seeks to formulate hypotheses about the mechanisms and conditions that determine the historical development of catchments and how such evolution affects their hydrological response. In this study, we selected 14 volcanic catchments of different ages (from 0.225 to 82.2 Ma) in Japan. We derived indices of landscape properties (drainage density and slope-area relationship) as well as hydrological response (annual water balance, baseflow index, and flow-duration curves) and examined their relation with catchment age and climate (through the aridity index). We found a significant correlation between drainage density and baseflow index with age, but not with climate. The intraannual flow variability was also significantly related to catchments age. Younger catchments tended to have lower peak flows and higher low flows, while older catchments exhibited more flashy runoff. The decrease in baseflow with catchment age is consistent with the existing hypothesis that in volcanic landscapes the major flow pathways change over time from deep groundwater flow to shallow subsurface flow. The drainage density of our catchments decreased with age, contrary to previous findings in a set of similar, but younger volcanic catchments in the Oregon Cascades, in which drainage density increased with age. In that case, older catchments were thought to show more landscape incision due to increasing near-surface lateral flow paths. Our results suggests two competing hypotheses on the evolution of drainage density in mature catchments. One is that as catchments continue to age, the hydrologically active channels retreat because less recharge leads to lower average aquifer levels and less baseflow. The other hypothesis is that the active channels do not undergo much surface dissection after the catchments reach maturity.