Comparison of regression for blood ALP levels using methods of the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in bovine, canine, feline, and human testing.

Livestock and companion animal health have a direct impact on human health. Research on clinical laboratory technology for veterinary medicine is as important as that on human laboratory technology. Reagents and analysis equipment for human medical laboratory tests are often used in veterinary medicine. Medical laboratories in Japan utilize the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry (JSCC) method for blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP) analysis. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) method is used worldwide for ALP catalytic concentration measurement. When the IFCC method is used, human blood ALP activity is approximately one-third of the JSCC method's activity. The JSCC method for ALP measurement was switched to the IFCC method in medical laboratories in Japan in April 2020 for global standardization purpose. It is uncertain whether conventional JSCC method reagents will continue to be supplied. In veterinary medicine, the relationship between the JSCC and IFCC methods in terms of ALP measurement is almost unclear. This study investigated the regression between JSCC and IFCC methods measuring ALP in bovine, canine, feline, and human. The regression formulas for bovine, canine, feline, and human ALP values using the conventional JSCC (x) and IFCC (y) methods are y = 0.379x + 0.124, y = 0.289x + 8.291, y = 0.358x + 0.432, and y = 0.337x + 2.959, respectively. These results suggested that the IFCC method measurement could be estimated by approximately one-third of the JSCC method measurement in animal species such as bovine, canine, and feline. By applying the conversion factors proposed in this study, a very good correlation could be obtained between the two methods for each animal.

Photon Upconverted Emission Based on Dye-Sensitized Triplet-Triplet Annihilation in Silica Sol-Gel System.

Photon upconverted emission based on dye-sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation was observed in silica gel systems containing Pt(II) octaethylporphyrin (triplet sensitizer) and 9,10-diphenylanthracene (singlet emitter). The triplet sensitizer was encapsulated and highly dispersed in the silica gels prepared by the sol-gel method. The singlet emitter was adsorbed on the silica gel pores accessible to the outside. Phosphorescence of the triplet sensitizer was partially quenched, and the singlet emission was enhanced with an increase in the concentration of the singlet emitter. The emission intensity increased in proportion to the approximate square of the irradiation power. The triplet energy transfer from some of the encapsulated triplet sensitizer molecules to the adsorbed singlet emitter molecules was observed in the silica gels followed by the triplet-triplet annihilation and upconverted singlet emission. The phosphorescence quenching and upconverted singlet emission were more significantly observed in the gel dried at a lower temperature (wetter gel). The wetter gel contained higher amounts of solvent and water molecules, in which the triplet sensitizer and singlet emitter should collide and then the sensitized emitters should collide between themselves during their excited-state lifetime. The photon upconversion process required the triplet sensitizer and singlet emitter molecules to be in an environment similar to the solvents.

Prognostic Value of Albuminuria on Cardiovascular Outcomes After Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Albuminuria is the most widely evaluated marker of kidney damage. Many previous studies have demonstrated an association between the presence of albuminuria and increased cardiovascular events. However, there are limited data regarding the impact of albuminuria in patients requiring coronary revascularization. This study investigated whether the urinary albumin excretion rate could predict cardiovascular events in such a population. We enrolled 698 consecutive patients who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention. The baseline urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR; mg/gCr) was measured and patients were divided into those with normoalbuminuria (ACR <30 mg/gCr), microalbuminuria (ACR 30 to 300 mg/gCr), or macroalbuminuria (ACR >300 mg/gCr). We collected data on the incidences of cardiac death and/or nonfatal myocardial infarction. We identified 389, 230, and 79 patients with normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria, respectively. During follow-up (median: 1,564 days), 41 events occurred. The event-free survival rate was 89% in patients with macroalbuminuria, 92% in those with microalbuminuria, and 97% in those with normoalbuminuria, respectively (log-rank test p = 0.002). After adjustment for conventional risk factors, Cox analysis revealed hazard ratios for cardiac death and/or nonfatal myocardial infarction were 2.56 (95% CI 1.23 to 5.32, p = 0.01) in those with microalbuminuria and 4.02 (95% CI 1.59 to 10.12, p = 0.003) in those with macroalbuminuria compared with those with normoalbuminuria. In conclusion, an elevated urinary albumin excretion rate independently predicted adverse cardiovascular outcomes, with a gradual risk increase that progressed from microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Noninvasive mathematical analysis of spectral electrocardiographic components for coronary lesions of intermediate to obstructive stenosis severity-relationship with classic and functional SYNTAX score.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the multifunction cardiogram (MCG), and SYNTAX score (SS) and functional SYNTAX score (FSS) in detecting the presence of intermediate to obstructive coronary lesions. BACKGROUND: Performing coronary angiography (CAG) and measuring fractional flow reserve (FFR) to calculate the SS and FSS is inherently invasive and adds complexity. METHODS: The MCG was obtained and analyzed before performing CAG in 87 consecutive subjects with suspected coronary artery disease who were scheduled for elective CAG. The patients were divided into three groups according to risk based on high, borderline, and low MCG scores. The SS was determined, as well as FSS but only by counting lesions prone to functional ischemia (FFR ≤ 0.8). The relationship between the MCG and the SS and FSS was evaluated. RESULTS: The MCG was the only test significantly associated with the SS (odds ratio, 2.92 [1.60 - 5.31], P < 0.001) and FSS (odds ratio, 3.66 [1.95 - 6.87], P < 0.001). A high MCG score had a specificity of 92.6% (89.0-96.2%) and 92.3% (89.0-95.6%), and a predictive accuracy of 72.4% (67.6-77.2%) and 82.8% (78.7-86.8%) for the prediction of SS and FSS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The MCG showed high specificity and predictive accuracy especially for the FSS, suggesting that it is useful not only in identifying functionally significant ischemia but also in reducing unnecessary CAGs.

Impact of abdominal and epicardial fat on the association between plasma adipocytokine levels and coronary atherosclerosis in non-obese patients.

OBJECTIVE: Ectopic fat accumulation is associated with coronary artery disease. Visceral adipose tissue has paracrine and systemic effects and is a source of adipocytokines. It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis; however, nothing is known about whether increases in epicardial fat have the same effect on coronary atherosclerosis as increases in abdominal visceral fat. METHODS: We examined 216 consecutive patients suspected to have coronary artery disease. Individuals with acute coronary syndrome and inadequate computed tomography (CT) imaging were excluded. We enrolled 164 patients (65 ± 10 years old; 70% men; body mass index [BMI], 23.8 ± 3.6 kg/m(2)). The plasma concentrations of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor were measured. The characteristics of coronary plaque, abdominal visceral fat area, and epicardial fat volume (EFV) were determined by 64-slice CT imaging. RESULTS: EFV was greater in subjects with noncalcified plaque than in those with no plaque or with calcified plaque (126 ± 39 mL vs. 98 ± 34 mL and 97 ± 45 mL, respectively; P = 0.010). EFV was significantly correlated with BMI, triglycerides, and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (r = 0.51, 0.19, and 0.20, respectively) but not with plasma levels of adipocytokines. The plasma adiponectin and IL-6 concentration was significantly correlated with abdominal visceral fat area in coronary plaque patients (r = -0.49 and 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: In non-obese Japanese patients, epicardial fat may have unique mechanisms affecting the development of coronary atherosclerosis, which is different from abdominal visceral fat.

The different association of epicardial fat with coronary plaque in patients with acute coronary syndrome and patients with stable angina pectoris: analysis using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the hypothesis that the epicardial fat is associated with coronary lipid plaque. BACKGROUND: Epicardial fat volume (EFV) is increased in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and lipid-rich plaques have been associated with acute coronary events. METHODS: We enrolled 112 individuals who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (66 with ACS; 46 with stable angina pectoris [SAP]) and classified plaque components using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound as calcified, fibrous, or lipid. Possible effects of PCI on plaque data were minimized by assessing 10-mm vessel lengths proximal to the culprit lesions. Total plaque volume and percentage volumes of individual plaque components were calculated. EFV and abdominal visceral fat area were measured using 64-slice computed tomography. RESULTS: ACS patients had significantly higher EFV than did SAP patients (118 ± 44 vs.101 ± 41 mL, p = 0.019). In ACS patients, EFV was correlated with total plaque volume and percentage of lipid plaque (r = 0.27 and 0.31, respectively; p < 0.05). Moreover, an independent interaction between EFV and lipid-rich plaque (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.07) were revealed. In contrast, in SAP patients, EFV was positively correlated with body mass index and abdominal visceral fat area but not with plaque characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: EFV was associated with lipid-rich plaque in patients with ACS, whereas no correlation between EFV and coronary plaque profile was apparent in SAP patients. Epicardial fat may have a role in the development of lipid plaque, which contributes to the pathogenesis of ACS.