To investigate the genetic factors that affect fatty acid composition of beef, we compared the full-length bovine stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) cDNA from 20 Japanese Black steers. Two types of the SCD gene with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were observed in the ORF of SCD cDNA, in which an amino acid replacement from valine (type V) to alanine (type A) was predicted. We developed a method for genotyping these two SCD genes based on PCR-RFLP. We have classified 1003 Japanese Black carcasses into three genotypes, VV, VA, and AA, and compared fatty acid composition among them. The SCD type A gene contributed to higher MUFA percentage and lower melting point in intramuscular fat. The SCD genotype was not the only genetic factor contributing to fatty acid composition of Japanese Black steers, but the SCD genotype was considered one of the causes of genetic variation in fatty acid composition of Japanese Black steers. Transcription factors such as sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) may account for the remaining part of the genetic variation in fatty acid composition.

SUMMARYTachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is characterized by ventricular systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure resulting from persistent or highly frequent tachyarrhythmias with uncontrolled heart rate. While reversible and often considered benign, few studies have examined the outcome of the disorder.The clinical characteristics, treatment, and long-term outcomes of 12 consecutive patients with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (9 men, age, 51.9 ± 17.6 years) were studied. The mean period between the occurrence of tachyarrhythmias and the development of congestive heart failure was 26.0 ± 34.3 days. The mean heart rate on admission was 156.3 ± 28.7 beats/min. All patients had severe heart failure with a NYHA functional class of 2.3 ± 0.5, left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.32 ± 0.10, and brain natriuretic peptide level of 505.7 ± 449.1 pg/mL. In all patients, cardiac dysfunction recovered after 53.5 ± 61.3 days. During the follow-up of 53 ± 24 months, 2 patients had a recurrence of heart failure with uncontrolled tachyarrhythmia and 1 patient died suddenly.In tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, recurrent heart failure with uncontrollable tachyarrhythmia and sudden death were observed after recovery from cardiac dysfunction. A substrate for heart failure and/or life-threatening arrhythmia might persist, and careful, long-term follow-up seems required. (Int Heart J 2008; 49: 39-47)

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Pilsicainide induced VA in some patients with Brugada syndrome, but this result may not be used as a parameter of the risk stratification of Brugada syndrome. Multiple PVC induced by pilsicainide and triggering polymorphic VT originated from several RV sites is an important factor when considering patients for treatment with catheter ablation.