Association of computed tomography-derived muscle mass and quality with delayed acquisition independent walking after cardiovascular surgery.

Background: In the context of cardiovascular surgery, the foremost concern lies in delayed functional recovery, as typified by the acquisition of independent walking after surgery, among older patients with decline in skeletal muscle mass and quality. Computed tomography (CT), which is typically employed for the preoperative assessment of pathological conditions in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, is also suitable for screening for potential decline in skeletal muscle mass and quality. The aim of this study was to examine the predictive capabilities of CT-derived parameters such as muscle mass and muscle quality for the delayed acquisition of independent walking in the postoperative period.

Fibrin Hydrogel Layer-Anchored Pericardial Matrix Prevents Epicardial Adhesion in the Severe Heart Adhesion-Induced Miniature Pig Model.

Postoperative adhesion is a very common and serious complication that occurs frequently in cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a fibrin hydrogel layer-anchored decellularized pericardial matrix in preventing pericardial adhesions in a miniature pig model with a myocardial injury. Fibrin hydrogel layer-anchored decellularized pericardial matrix was prepared by spraying a mixture of fibrinogen and thrombin on a fibrinogen-doped decellularized pericardium.

[Usage of New Device to Prevent Sternum Separation after Median Sternotomy in 140 Cases].

While minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has become increasingly popular recently even in the field of cardiovascular surgery, the conventional full median sternotomy is still the main approach to the mediastinum, especially for cases which cannot be applied for MICS or in the facilities where MICS is not performed. It has been known that sternal instability is one of the leading causes of sternal infection after median sternotomy. Therefore, we have sought for an additional product to secure strong sternal stability.

[Cardiac Rehabilitation in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting].

Objectives: A purpose is to compare the in-hospital rehabilitation progress after minimally invasive cardiac surgery coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) with that after off pump coronary artery bypass grafting( OPCAB).

Methods: We analyzed 60 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery from January 2015 to December 2016. Fourteen patients underwent MICS CABG (MICS CABG group) and 46 patients underwent OPCAB (OPCAB group).

[Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using Bilateral In Situ Internal Thoracic Arteries].

A 73-year-old male with diabetes mellitius was referred to our hospital for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Preoperative coronary angiography revealed three-vessel coronary disease. Minimally invasive coronary artery grafting (MICS CABG) via left thoracotomy was selected to decrease surgical site infection due to severe diabetes.

[Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using Proximal Anastomoses Device;Report of a Case].

A 68-years-old male with diabetes mellitius (HbA1c 6.5%) was referred for coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG). Preoperative coronary angiography (CAG) signed 3-vessels coronary disease[#2 75 %,#4 posterior descending (PD) 75%,#6 90%,#14 90%].

[New Intracoronary Shunt Cannula in Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting].

In off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(OPCAB), a bloodless operative field has great influence on the quality of anastomosis. In addition, maintenance of distal coronary flow during anastomosis stabilizes hemodynamics. We introduced a new intracoronary shunt cannula, Mini Shunt Pro (MSP).

Effect of decellularized tissue powders on a rat model of acute myocardial infarction.

Many research groups are currently investigating new treatment modalities for myocardial infarction. Numerous aspects need to be considered for the clinical application of these therapies, such as low cell integration and engraftment rates of cell injection techniques. Decellularized tissues are considered good materials for promoting regeneration of traumatic tissues.

New parameter of the right gastroepiploic arterial graft using the power spectral analysis device named MemCalc soft.

Objectives: Transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) parameters such as mean graft flow (MGF, ml/min), pulsatility index (PI) and diastolic filling (DF, %) have been extensively researched for internal mammary arterial or saphenous vein grafts. In our experience of using the right gastroepiploic arterial (GEA) graft for right coronary artery (RCA) grafting, we observed unique GEA graft flow waveforms. We analysed the GEA graft flow waveforms for their effectiveness in determining GEA graft patency by power spectral analysis.

Is hyperuricemia a risk factor for arteriosclerosis? Uric acid and arteriosclerosis in apolipoprotein e-deficient mice.

Although hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and diabetes increase the risk of arteriosclerosis, it is not clear whether hyperuricemia increases the risk of arteriosclerosis or not. We examined the effects of uric acid and curative drugs for hyperuricemia on atherosclerosis-susceptible C57BL/6J apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Male apoE(-/-) mice (age: 6 weeks) were fed a normal diet (normal diet group) or a uric acid-enriched diet.

Evaluation of gastroepiploic arterial grafts to right coronary artery using transit-time flow measurement.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between the intraoperative transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) parameter values and the postoperative angiographic results of gastroepiploic arterial (GEA) grafts to the right coronary artery (RCA). We investigated whether the intraoperative TTFM parameter values are reliable indicators of early patency in GEA grafts to the RCA.

Methods: Patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery with GEA grafts were included in this study.

Myofibroblasts: Biochemical and proteomic approaches to fibrosis.

Fibrosis is a state, in which excess amounts of extracellular matrix are deposited in the tissue. Fibrosis can occur in various organs, including the liver, lung, kidney and heart. The progression of fibrosis involves interstitial hypercellularity, accumulation of extracellular matrix, and atrophy of epithelial structures, resulting in a loss of normal function.

Interleukin-1β accelerates the onset of stroke in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

High blood levels of inflammatory biomarkers and immune cells in stroke lesions have been recognized as results of stroke. However, recent studies have suggested that inflammation occurs prior to stroke onset. In this study, we aimed to clarify the role of inflammation in stroke onset among stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).

1'-acetoxychavicol acetate inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in high fat-fed rats.

Alpinia galanga and Languas galanga, which are plants belonging to the ginger family, are frequently used for cooking, especially in Thai and Indonesian cuisine. The compound 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), which is naturally obtained from the rhizomes and seeds of these gingers, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the anti-obesity effects of ACA in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in high fat diet (HFD)-induced rat models of obesity.

Neuroprotective effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate in rats when administered pre- or post-traumatic brain injury.

Our previous study indicated that consuming (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) before or after traumatic brain injury (TBI) eliminated free radical generation in rats, resulting in inhibition of neuronal degeneration and apoptotic death, and improvement of cognitive impairment. Here we investigated the effects of administering EGCG at various times pre- and post-TBI on cerebral function and morphology. Wistar rats were divided into five groups and were allowed access to (1) normal drinking water, (2) EGCG pre-TBI, (3) EGCG pre- and post-TBI, (4) EGCG post-TBI, and (5) sham-operated group with access to normal drinking water.

Appearance of neural stem cells around the damaged area following traumatic brain injury in aged rats.

We have previously reported free radical production after traumatic brain injury (TBI), which induces neural stem cell (NSC) degeneration and death. However, the effects of aging on NSC proliferation around the damaged area following TBI have not been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we used 10-week (young group) and 24-month-old (aged group) rat TBI models to investigate the effects of aging on NSC proliferation around damaged tissue using immunohistochemical and ex vivo techniques.

[Bioprosthetic valve endocarditis associated with rapid progression of valvular stenosis;report of a case].

Long-term durability and stability of the hemodynamic performance of commercially available 2nd generation Carpentier-Edwards stented bovine pericardial aortic bioprostheses (Perimount valve) is reported based on echocardiographic follow-up examinations. Prosthetic valve deterioration of the Perimount valve usually occurs late and is age-dependent. We describe bioprosthetic valve deterioration of a Perimount valve with severe stenotic change 1 month postoperatively that developed in an infective endocarditis patient.

Continual Gram-negative bacterial challenge accelerates stroke onset in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

This study examined the effects of continual Gram-negative bacterial challenge on stroke onset. Stroke onset occurred significantly earlier in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) injected with a bacterial cell suspension of Gram-negative rods or lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) than in uninjected controls. Paralysis of the hindlimb, piloerection, hypokinesis, and hyperkinesis were observed in LPS-injected SHRSP but not in uninjected controls during stroke onset.

p38MAPK suppresses chronic pancreatitis by regulating HSP27 and BAD expression.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are ubiquitous proteins that function in both normal and stress-related pathophysiological states of the cell. This study aimed to analyze the importance of p38MAPK in pancreatic injury using WBN/Kob rats with spontaneous chronic pancreatitis. Male WBN/Kob rats were injected with the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580, starting at the age of 4 weeks, and sacrificed 6 weeks later.

Giant intercostal aneurysm complicated by Stanford type B acute aortic dissection in patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis.

Vascular involvement is rare in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). It is often missed because it is usually asymptomatic. We report a case of a 42 years old male with neurofibromatosis type 1 who presented with left back discomfort.

Ecklonia cava polyphenol protects the liver against ethanol-induced injury in rats.

Background: The development of alcoholic liver disease is a complex process that involves both the parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells of the liver. We examined the effect of an Ecklonia cava extract on ethanol-induced liver injury.

Methods: Isolated hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were incubated with ethanol.

Delay of stroke onset by milk proteins in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Background And Purpose: There is an inverse association between dairy food consumption and the incidence of stroke in observational studies. However, it is unknown whether the relationship is causal or, if so, what components in milk are responsible for reducing the incidence of stroke.

Methods: Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats were fed diets comprising amino acids, proteins from different sources (casein, whey, soybean, or egg white), or fats from different sources (butter, beef tallow, or cocoa butter) and the onset of stroke and lifespan were examined.

Differential changes of aorta and carotid vasodilation in type 2 diabetic GK and OLETF rats: paradoxical roles of hyperglycemia and insulin.

We investigated large vessel function in lean Goto-Kakizaki diabetic rats (GK) and Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty diabetic rats (OLETF) with possible roles of hyperglycemia/hyperosmolarity and insulin. Both young and old GK showed marked hyperglycemia with normal insulin level and well-preserved endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation in aorta and carotid artery. There were significant elevations in endothelial/inducible nitric oxide synthase (eNOS/iNOS) and inducible/constitutive heme oxygenase (HO-1/HO-2) in GK.