Silane catecholates: versatile tools for self-assembled dynamic covalent bond chemistry.

Shape-persistent macrocycles and 3D nanocages have been prepared in one-pot under MeCN-promoted dynamic covalent bond conditions starting from silane catecholates, whose structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Cation-exchange reactions of macrocycles and nanocages were performed along with the encapsulation of ammonium ions within the cavity of an anionic macrocycle and a tetrahedral nanocage.

"Megatrends" driving healthcare facility design: a look at the major trends that will shape medical facility design.

Changes in medical construction and design are accelerating exponentially, and anyone who can anticipate where these changes are going to happen will be at an advantage. Knowing the "Megatrends" defining and driving the future of healthcare delivery and healthcare facility design will help decision makers anticipate the future.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of stress distribution in composite resin cores with fiber posts of varying diameters.

Using three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D-FEA), stress distributions in the remaining radicular tooth structure were investigated under the condition of varying diameters of fiber post for fiber post-reinforced composite resin cores (fiber post and core) in maxillary central incisors. Four 3D-FEA models were constructed: (1) fiber post (ø1.2, ø1.

Hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column improves tissue oxygen metabolism.

Recently, direct hemoperfusion with a polymyxin B-coated fiber column (DHP-PMX) has been increasingly used for the treatment of sepsis, and an improvement in outcomes has been reported. However, the mechanism of the method is not known in detail. In the present study, we examined whether the performance of DHP-PMX improved tissue oxygen metabolism in patients with sepsis.

Hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column reduces circulating interleukin-8 concentrations.

In the present study, we examined whether the performance of hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column (DHP-PMX) reduces circulating interleukin-8 concentration in patients with sepsis. Fifteen patients with sepsis satisfying the following criteria were enrolled in the study: (i) signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection; and (ii) mean arterial blood pressure > or =60 mm Hg (irrespective of the use of catecholamines). A thermodilution catheter was inserted prior to DHP-PMX for appropriate intravenous infusion, and the DHP-PMX was carried out twice at 24 h intervals (for 3 h each time).

Hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B column reduces the blood level of neutrophil elastase.

Background: We investigated whether direct hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B column (DHP with PMX) could reduce the blood level of neutrophil elastase.

Methods: 20 sepsis patients were enrolled in the study. DHP with PMX was performed twice within a 24-hour period.

Cholesterol embolization treated with corticosteroids--two case reports.

Cholesterol embolization (CE) is a potentially serious complication associated with invasive arterial maneuvers, in which standard therapy has not been established. We experienced two cases of CE in patients with severe atherosclerosis whose renal function deteriorated within a few months after invasive arterial maneuvers. CE was confirmed either by renal biopsy (case 1) or skin biopsy (case 2).

Hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column inhibits activation of vascular endothelial cells.

Involvement of the activation of neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells in the pathology of sepsis has recently been reported. We therefore investigated whether direct hemoperfusion (DHP) with a polymyxin B immobilized fiber column (PMX) could reduce the level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an index of vascular endothelial cell activation. Twelve sepsis patients satisfying the following criteria were enrolled in the study: (i) stable global oxygen metabolism (oxygen delivery index>500 mL/min/m2 and oxygen consumption index>120 mL/min/m2); (ii) abnormal tissue oxygen metabolism (PCO2 gap: gastric mucosal PCO2 minus arterial PCO2 difference>8 mm Hg); and (iii) mean blood pressure>or=60 mm Hg.

Verapamil prevents impairment in filterability of human erythrocytes exposed to oxidative stress.

Effects of oxidative stress on intact human erythrocytes were investigated using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP). Exposure of erythrocytes to tBHP caused a marked decrease in filterability in a time-dependent manner. Erythrocytes exposed to tBHP also show an increase in mean corpuscular volume and a remarkable formation of methemoglobin (met-Hb) without any appearance of hemichromes that form Heinz bodies.

Reentrant atrial tachycardia originating from the superior vena cava.

A 52-years old man with a previous pericardiotomy for idiopathic constrictive pericarditis underwent catheter ablation for drug-resistant atrial tachycardia (AT). The mechanism of the AT was considered as reentry because of resetting response and the entrainment phenomenon during AT. We introduced a 64-electrode basket catheter into the superior vena cava (SVC) during AT to obtain precise mapping.

Sick sinus syndrome disclosed by the successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of persistent common atrial flutter.

Sick sinus syndrome was disclosed in a 77 year-old man after a radiofrequency (RF) linear catheter ablation of cavotricuspid isthmus for persistent common atrial flutter. Prolongation of corrected sinus node recovery time, sinoatrial conduction time and AH interval, as observed after RF ablation, suggested binodal (sinus as well as atrioventricular node) dysfunction. Adams-Stokes syndrome due to sinus arrest was encountered on the day of RF ablation and a permanent DDD pacemaker was implanted consequently.