Successful TAVR for a Patient with Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis and Previous Type A Aortic Dissection.

Whether transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can be accomplished in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (AV) and previous type A aortic dissection remains rarely addressed. We report such a case in whom transfemoral TAVR was smoothly performed employing an extraordinary long sheath to bypass the dissected aortic segment, yet at the cost of perioperative left temporoparietal infarction owing to no suitable cerebral embolic protection device available in the presence of a remaining dissection in the aortic arch. Thus, for such patients, transfemoral TAVR is still feasible but novel embolic protection devices of distinct designs should be developed to avoid perioperative cerebral embolism.

Catecholamine-Induced Secondary Takotsubo Syndrome in Children With Severe Enterovirus 71 Infection and Acute Heart Failure: A 20-year Experience of a Single Institute.

Acute heart failure (AHF) is the major cause of death in children with severe enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. This study aimed to report our clinical experience with EV71-related AHF, as well as to discuss its pathogenesis and relationship to Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). A total 27 children with EV71-related AHF between 1998 and 2018 were studied.

Involvement of Galectin-1 Tumor Microenvironment in Radiosensitivity.

Background/aim: The mechanisms of galectin-1 in radioresistance may not only involve intracellular but also extracellular effects because galectin-1 can be secreted into the extracellular matrix. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the role of the galectin-1 tumor microenvironment on radiosensitivity in a murine tumor model.

Materials And Methods: Wild-type or stable galectin-1-down-regulated cancer cells (melanoma (B16F10) and lung cancer (LLC1)) were injected (subcutaneous injection) into wild-type or knockout (galectin-1, B cells, and T cells) mice that were subject to 0 or 8 Gy irradiation.

Progress in the Preparation of Functional and (Bio)Degradable Polymers via Living Polymerizations.

This review presents the latest developments in (bio)degradable approaches and functional aliphatic polyesters and polycarbonates prepared by typical ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones and trimethylene carbonates. It also considers several recent innovative synthetic methods including radical ring-opening polymerization (RROP), atom transfer radical polyaddition (ATRPA), and simultaneous chain- and step-growth radical polymerization (SCSRP) that produce aliphatic polyesters. With regard to (bio)degradable approaches, we have summarized several representative cleavable linkages that make it possible to obtain cleavable polymers.

Preparations of Tough and Conductive PAMPS/PAA Double Network Hydrogels Containing Cellulose Nanofibers and Polypyrroles.

To afford an intact double network (sample abbr.: DN) hydrogel, two-step crosslinking reactions of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) (i.e.

Effect of Retrograde Cerebral Protection Strategy on Outcome of Patients with Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background: Neurological complications are an important concern in the repair of type A aortic dissection. Supra-aortic involvement is considered to be an important risk factor for neurological injuries. However, the optimal brain protection strategy still remains controversial.

In-situ biochar application conserves nutrients while simultaneously mitigating runoff and erosion of an Fe-oxide-enriched tropical soil.

Climate change gives rise to rapid degradation of rural soils in sloping subtropical and tropical areas and might further threaten environmental sustainability. In this study, we conducted an integrated evaluation of the effects of wood biochar (WB) application mixed with a green waste dreg compost (GWC) on runoff quality, soil losses, and agricultural productivity for a highly weathered tropical soil. A conventional agriculture method, in which soils are treated with anionic polyacrylamide (PAM), was also conducted for comparison.

Modified Sleeve Technique in Aortic Valve-Sparing Operation for Marfan Syndrome.

We devised a simple modification of the Florida Sleeve procedure to perform aortic valve-sparing surgery. This technique is simple, quick, effective, and safe. We used this technique in operations performed on two young patients with Marfan syndrome.

Transcatheter device closure of postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect.

Background: Transcatheter device closure of postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect (PMIVSD) is less invasive than surgical repair. However, its feasibility, timing, outcome, and prognostic factors remain unclear.

Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Rescue of Coronary Injury with Right Internal Mammary Artery Bypass during Repair of a Complex Congenital Heart.

Unlabelled: A 10-year-old boy with polysplenia syndrome was diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease, including common atrium, bilateral superior vena cava, complete atrioventricular canal defect, severe pulmonary stenosis, interrupted inferior vena cava, and patent ductus arteriosus. Previously, he underwent a bilateral bidirectional Glenn shunt operation with ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus in April, 2009, when he was six years old. During the operation, his left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was injured accidently due to abnormally high coronary artery takeoff.

Excellent mid-term durability of the On-X mechanical aortic valve in the pulmonary position with a low international normalized ratio.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Although the pulmonary position has been preferred for the placement of homografts or bioprosthetic valves, the limited longevity of these implants makes reoperation almost unavoidable. Good durability of mechanical valves in the pulmonary position has been reported. The mid-term outcomes were analyzed of patients who received an On-X mechanical heart valve for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) with a relatively low International Normalized Ratio (INR).

Amifostine alleviates radiation-induced lethal small bowel damage via promotion of 14-3-3σ-mediated nuclear p53 accumulation.

Amifostine (AM) is a radioprotector that scavenges free radicals and is used in patients undergoing radiotherapy. p53 has long been implicated in cell cycle arrest for cellular repair after radiation exposure. We therefore investigated the protective p53-dependent mechanism of AM on small bowel damage after lethal whole-abdominal irradiation (WAI).

Surgical Management for Complications during Closure of Atrial Septal Defect with Amplatzer Device.

Background: Transcatheter closure of secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) has become a standard procedure in most medical centers. Although the procedure is invasive and has a shorter recovery duration and a lower complication rate compared with surgery, it is not risk-free. In this retrospective chart review case series, we report our experience of management of complications after placement of an ASD occluder.

Galectin-1 is an independent prognostic factor for local recurrence and survival after definitive radiation therapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Purpose: To investigate the role of galectin-1 in patients with cervical cancer after definitive radiation therapy.

Methods And Materials: We reviewed 154 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I-II squamous cell carcinoma. Patients underwent curative-intent radiation therapy.

From atretic to perforated: a closer view of pulmonary atresia.

A 7-day-old male infant with membranous pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) underwent hybrid pulmonary valvotomy. Access was via median sternotomy guided by intra-operative epicardial ultrasonography. After puncturing the atretic pulmonary valve, a 6 mm Wanda balloon catheter was inflated to dilate the atretic valve.

Asymptomatic Right Ventricular Perforation by a Temporary Transvenous Pacing Lead in an Infant.

Unlabelled: A 3-month-old male infant received transvenous temporary pacemaker for acquired complete atrioventricular block. However, a right ventricle perforation by the pacing lead was found incidentally when the patient was receiving permanent pacemaker implantation nineteen days after temporary pacing. There was no pacemaker dysfunction, active bleeding or hemopericardium.

Axillofemoral bypass relieves visceral malperfusion in type B aortic dissection.

A 58-year-old man with acute type B aortic dissection presented with right lower limb cyanosis, mesenteric ischemia, and acute renal failure. He was treated with extraanatomic right axillofemoral bypass surgery alone, recovered completely from renal, mesenteric, and lower extremity malperfusion shortly thereafter, and lived free of symptoms for the following year. Follow-up computed tomography angiograms documented adequate expansion of the true aortic lumen and good perfusion of visceral organs.

Three-dimensional cell aggregates composed of HUVECs and cbMSCs for therapeutic neovascularization in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia.

The proximity of cells in three-dimensional (3D) organization maximizes the cell-cell communication and signaling that are critical for cell function. In this study, 3D cell aggregates composed of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and cord-blood mesenchymal stem cells (cbMSCs) were used for therapeutic neovascularization to rescue tissues from critical limb ischemia. Within the cell aggregates, homogeneously mixed HUVECs and cbMSCs had direct cell-cell contact with expressions of endogenous extracellular matrices and adhesion molecules.

Extracorporeal life support for critical enterovirus 71 rhombencephalomyelitis: long-term neurologic follow-up.

Enterovirus 71 rhombencephalomyelitis with cardiopulmonary dysfunction has become an endemic problem in Taiwan since an epidemic outbreak in 1998. Such cases frequently involve significant morbidity and mortality. From October 2000-June 2008, we collected 10 consecutive patients diagnosed with enterovirus 71 rhombencephalomyelitis complicated by left heart failure, with or without pulmonary edema, and surviving more than 3 months after receiving extracorporeal life support.

A novel mechanism for regulating hepatic glycogen synthesis involving serotonin and cyclin-dependent kinase-5.

Hepatic autonomic nerves regulate postprandial hepatic glucose uptake, but the signaling pathways remain unknown. We tested the hypothesis that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) exerts stimulatory and inhibitory effects on hepatic glucose disposal. Ligands of diverse 5-HT receptors were used to identify signaling pathway(s) regulating glucose metabolism in hepatocytes.

Spatially controlled expression of the Drosophila pseudouridine synthase RluA-1.

Pseudouridine (Ψ) synthases function in the formation of Ψ, the most abundant of the modified RNA residues. All Ψ synthases in E. coli are classified into one of five families according to their sequences.

Hybrid therapy for interrupted aortic arch with aortopulmonary window in a low birth weight infant.

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is rarely associated with aortopulmonary window. Single-stage total correction is the preferred therapeutic option. When total correction is unfeasible, staged repair could be the therapeutic choice.

Daclizumab in active relapsing multiple sclerosis (CHOICE study): a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, add-on trial with interferon beta.

Background: Daclizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody, reduced multiple sclerosis disease activity in previous non-randomised studies. We aimed to assess whether daclizumab reduces disease activity in patients with active relapsing multiple sclerosis who are receiving interferon beta treatment.

Methods: We did a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at 51 centres in the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Extracorporeal life support for treatment of children with enterovirus 71 infection-related cardiopulmonary failure.

Purpose: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection leading to cardiopulmonary failure (CPF) is rare, but usually fatal. In such cases, intensive cardiorespiratory support is essential for survival. In this study, we report our experience in the treatment of EV71-related CPF with extracorporeal life support (ECLS).

Spherically symmetric mesenchymal stromal cell bodies inherent with endogenous extracellular matrices for cellular cardiomyoplasty.

Cell transplantation via direct intramyocardial injection is a promising therapy for patients with myocardial infarction; however, retention of the transplanted cells at the injection sites remains a central issue following injection of dissociated cells. Using a thermoresponsive hydrogel system with a multiwell structure, we successfully developed an efficient technique to generate spherically symmetric bodies of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) inherent with endogenous extracellular matrices (ECMs) for direct intramyocardial injection. After injection through a needle and upon transferring to another growth surface, the time required to attach, migrate, and proliferate was significantly shorter for the MSC bodies than the dissociated MSCs.