[Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication for eventration of diaphragm in children using no-knife automatic suturing device].

Unlabelled: Diaphragm eventration could inhibit the lung development due to compression. Thus diaphragm plication is required for the diaphragm eventration to prevent lung compression causing lung immaturity. However, we sometimes encounter the difficulty in endoscopic plication for fragile diaphragm without damaging it in narrow thoracic space in children.

Redox properties of a single (7,5)single-walled carbon nanotube determined by an in situ photoluminescence spectroelectrochemical method.

The determination of electronic states of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been a central issue in science and nanotechnology of carbon nanotubes. We here describe the oxidation and reduction potentials of a single SWNT determined by in situ photoluminescence (PL) spectroelectrochemical measurements. By PL imaging and single SWNT PL spectroscopy, the stepwise quenching behavior of the PL from a single (7,5)SWNT was detected as the outer-applied potentials increased.

Anatomical factors associated with periesophageal vagus nerve injury after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: The periesophageal vagus nerve plexus controls the kinetics of the stomach, digestive tract, and gallbladder, and catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause vagus nerve injury (VNI). We sought to clarify the incidence, clinical course, and anatomical factors related to periesophageal VNI.

Methods: The present study included 257 consecutive patients with AF (mean age, 62±11 years) who underwent catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation.

[Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma].

Purpose: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare condition associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of 7 patients with ACC.

Patients And Methods: The clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and survival of 7 patients with pathologically confirmed ACC treated at our institution between January 2002 and December 2012 were retrospectively examined.

A secreted protein with plant-specific cysteine-rich motif functions as a mannose-binding lectin that exhibits antifungal activity.

Plants have a variety of mechanisms for defending against plant pathogens and tolerating environmental stresses such as drought and high salinity. Ginkbilobin2 (Gnk2) is a seed storage protein in gymnosperm that possesses antifungal activity and a plant-specific cysteine-rich motif (domain of unknown function26 [DUF26]). The Gnk2-homologous sequence is also observed in an extracellular region of cysteine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases that function in response to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Clinical and procedural predictors of early complications of ablation for atrial fibrillation: analysis of the national registry data.

Background: The risk assessment of the complication from atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is important and needs to be updated.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and procedural factors associated with AF ablation-related early complications.

Methods: The Japanese Heart Rhythm Society invited electrophysiology centers in Japan to register data regarding all AF ablation procedures performed in September 2011, March 2012, and September 2012.

Human laryngitis caused by Clinostomum complanatum.

A 64-year-old Japanese man visited our outpatient department complaining of an irritable sensation in the throat, occurring two days after eating raw freshwater fish (carp sashimi) at a Japanese-style inn. During laryngeal endoscopy, a slow-moving worm (fluke) was found attached to the surface of the right aryepiglottic fold. After inhalation of 4% lidocaine, the fluke was removed using endoscopic forceps.

Comparison of postoperative pain between single-incision and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in postoperative pain between single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SLA) and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) for uncomplicated appendicitis in children.

Methods: In total, 30 patients underwent CLA, and 12 patients underwent SLA. Patients with perforated appendicitis or an abscess were excluded.

Modified FOLFOX6 chemotherapy in patients with metastatic urachal cancer.

Background: To improve the prognosis of patients with urachal cancer and establish an effective chemotherapeutic regimen for distant metastases.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified combination of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) therapy in patients with metastatic urachal cancer.

Results: Five patients were treated with mFOLFOX6.

Effect of chitosan chewing gum on reducing serum phosphorus in hemodialysis patients: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: HS219 (40 mg chitosan-loaded chewing gum) is designed to bind salivary phosphorus as an add-on to available phosphorus binders. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HS219 in hemodialysis (HD) patients with hyperphosphatemia as an add-on to phosphorus binders.

Methods: Sixty-eight HD patients who were maintained on calcium carbonate (n=33) or sevelamer hydrochloride (n=35) were enrolled.

Enantioselective synthesis of [9]- and [11]helicene-like molecules: double intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition.

The enantioselective synthesis of completely ortho-fused [9]- and [11]helicene-like molecules has been achieved through a rhodium-mediated, intramolecular, double [2+2+2] cycloaddition of phenol- or 2-naphthol-linked hexaynes. Crystal structures and photophysical properties of these [9]- and [11]helicene-like molecules have also been disclosed.

Effects of selective endothelin (ET)-A receptor antagonist versus dual ET-A/B receptor antagonist on hearts of streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats.

Aims: The aim was to study the differences in the effectiveness of two types of endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists (selective ET-A or dual ET-A/B antagonists) on the hearts of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (type I diabetes) at functional and biochemical/molecular levels.

Main Methods: Citrate saline (vehicle) or STZ was injected into rats. The ET-A/B dual receptor antagonist (SB209670, 1mg/kg/day) and the ET-A receptor antagonist (TA-0201, 1mg/kg/day) were then administered to these rats.

Excitonic Photoluminescence from Nanodisc States in Graphene Oxides.

The origin of near-infrared (NIR) luminescence from graphene oxide (GO) is investigated by photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectroscopy, time-resolved PL spectroscopy, and density functional theory based many body perturbation theories. The energy of experimentally observed NIR PL peak depends on the excitation energy, and the peak broadens with increasing excitation energy. It is found that the PL decay curves in time-resolved spectroscopy show build-up behavior at lower emission energies due to energy transfer between smaller to larger graphene nanodisc (GND) states embedded in GO.

Prognostic value of circulating regulatory T cells for worsening heart failure in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in the negative regulation of immune responses. Recent studies suggest that Tregs are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocarditis. Here, we investigated the involvement of Tregs on worsening heart failure (HF) in patients with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF).

The inhibitory effect of a Platycodon root extract on ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation due to a decrease in Kit expression.

The signaling of stem cell factor (SCF) through its receptor Kit is known to play an important role in regulating cutaneous melanogenesis. In the course of UVB-induced pigmentation, the expression of membrane-bound SCF by epidermal keratinocytes is upregulated at an early phase and subsequently activates neighboring melanocytes via their Kit receptors. In order to identify effective skin-lightening materials, we screened botanical extracts to determine their abilities to diminish Kit expression in melanocytes.

Left atrial wall thickness and outcomes of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Purpose: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is still challenging, and it is unclear whether the difficulty is caused by the hypertrophy of left atrial (LA) myocardial wall thickness. The objective of the study was to compare the LA wall thickness and AF ablation outcomes between patients with HCM and those without structural heart disease.

Methods: The present study enrolled 17 consecutive HCM patients (63 ± 12 years) with drug-refractory AF and 34 control patients without any detectable heart disease, whose age, gender, type of AF, and LA dimension were matched to the HCM patients.

Three-month lower-dose flecainide after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) commonly recur within the first 3 months after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF), and the influence of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) on the recurrences has not been fully elucidated. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of a 3-month lower-dose flecainide regime on early and late recurrences of ATs.

Methods And Results: We randomly assigned 126 patients, who underwent RFCA for AF, to the flecainide group (150 or 100 mg/day according to their body weight) or to the control group receiving no AADs.

Nationwide survey of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: the Japanese Catheter Ablation Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (J-CARAF)--report of 1-year follow-up.

Background: A nationwide survey of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) was conducted in Japan to determine the mid-term performance of the therapy from analysis of the 1-year outcome of registered patients.

Methods And Results: A total of 2,137 patients who underwent AF ablation in September 2011 and March 2012 were initially registered. In 2013, the 1-year follow-up data of 1,208 patients (56.

Current status of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation--updated summary of the Japanese Catheter Ablation Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (J-CARAF).

Background: The purpose of this study was to provide precise data on the current status of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in Japan.

Methods And Results: The Japanese Heart Rhythm Society requested that members retrospectively register data for AF ablation performed in September 2011, March 2012, and September 2012. A total of 165 centers submitted data for 3,373 patients (age, 62±11 years; male, 76.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide protects the myocardium from ischemia induced by endothelin-1: intravital microscopic observation and (31)P-MR spectroscopic studies.

Aims: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilator neuropeptide. We investigated the ameliorating effect of CGRP in myocardial ischemia induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1), with special emphasis on myocardial microvascular hemodynamics and levels of energy-related metabolites.

Main Methods: The Langendorff preparations of rat isolated heart were perfused at a constant flow rate.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy restored ventricular septal myocardial perfusion and enhanced ventricular remodeling in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy presenting with left bundle branch block.

Background: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) causes intraventricular conductional delay, which results in left ventricle (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony. In the absence of coronary artery disease, patients with LBBB often have diminished accumulation of technetium-99m compounds at the myocardial septal area in electrocardiogram-gated single-photon emission computed tomography.

Objective: To investigate whether cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) could improve septal myocardial perfusion, leading to favorable reverse remodeling.

Defective barrier function accompanied by structural changes of psoriatic stratum corneum.

Although barrier function of psoriatic skin is shown to be decreased by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL), few reports exist examining other physical skin properties and components including stratum corneum hydration, natural moisturizing factor (NMF), free fatty acids (FFA), β-sheet and α-helix ratio of structural protein(s), and sebum content. We compared the skin properties and components of normal, involved and uninvolved skin of psoriasis. Using a corneometer and attenuated total reflection-infrared spectrometer, we measured TEWL, stratum corneum hydration, NMF, FFA, β/α ratio and sebum in psoriasis vulgaris patients and healthy controls.

Successful thoracoscopic removal of a giant teratoma following extraction of cystic conponents: a case report.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a type of minimal-access surgery. The nature of the surgery means that there are limitations on the size of a tumor that can be removed through an access incision. Herein, we report our experience removing a giant teratoma (16 × 14 × 13 cm in size) from the anterior mediastinum of a young girl.

Continuous glucose monitoring for suspected dumping syndrome in infants after Nissen fundoplication.

Dumping syndrome is infrequently reported, but known to occur after Nissen fundoplication in children. However, it may be difficult both to diagnose and manage. Here we presented four infants who received Nissen fundoplication for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease, two of whom developed dumping syndrome whilst the other two did not.

Alteration of the function of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A subfamily by cytochrome P450 3A4: different susceptibility for UGT isoforms and UGT1A1/7 variants.

Functional protein-protein interactions between UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A isoforms and cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 were studied. To this end, UGT1A-catalyzed glucuronidation was assayed in Sf-9 cells that simultaneously expressed UGT and CYP3A4. In the kinetics of UGT1A6-catalyzed glucuronidation of serotonin, both Michaelis constant (Km) and maximal velocity (Vmax) were increased by CYP3A4.