Cell disorientation by loss of SHH-dependent mechanosensation causes cyclopia.

The physical causes of organ malformation remain largely unclear in most cases due to a lack of information on tissue/cell dynamics. Here, we address this issue by considering onset of cyclopia in sonic hedgehog (SHH)-inhibited chick embryos. We show that ventral forebrain-specific self-organization ability driven by SHH-dependent polarized patterns in cell shape, phosphorylated myosin localization, and collective cell motion promotes optic vesicle elongation during normal development.

Quantitative Analysis of 3D Tissue Deformation Reveals Key Cellular Mechanism Associated with Initial Heart Looping.

Despite extensive study, the morphogenetic mechanisms of heart looping remain controversial because of a lack of information concerning precise tissue-level deformation and the quantitative relationship between tissue and cellular dynamics; this lack of information causes difficulties in evaluating previously proposed models. To overcome these limitations, we perform four-dimensional (4D) high-resolution imaging to reconstruct a tissue deformation map, which reveals that, at the tissue scale, initial heart looping is achieved by left-right (LR) asymmetry in the direction of deformation within the myocardial tube. We further identify F-actin-dependent directional cell rearrangement in the right myocardium as a major contributor to LR asymmetric tissue deformation.

Finite element formulation and analysis for an arterial wall with residual and active stresses.

In this study, for predicting arterial function and pathogenesis from a mechanical viewpoint, we develop a continuum mechanical model of an arterial wall that embodies residual and active stresses following a traditional anisotropic passive constitutive law. The residual and active stresses are incorporated into finite element methods based on a two-field variational principle described in the Lagrangian form. The linearisation of nonlinear weak-form equations derived from this variational principle is then described for developing an original finite element algorithm.

Use of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells for prevention of esophageal stricture after circumferential EMR in a canine model.

Background: EMR is an accepted treatment for early esophageal carcinoma. However, resection of a large mucosal area often causes postoperative esophageal stricture.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of autologous adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) for prevention of stricture formation after EMR in dogs.

Observation of the esophagus, pharynx and lingual root by gastrointestinal endoscopy with a percutaneous retrograde approach.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of retrograde observation of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx and lingual root.

Methods: With the beagle dog under anesthesia, the anterior wall of the stomach was fixed on the abdominal wall in a similar way to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. The gastrointestinal scope was inserted via a 12 mm laparoscopic port for subsequent retrograde observation from stomach to the oral cavity.

Emergency total aortic arch replacement for a renal transplant recipient by mild hypothermia with selective cerebral perfusion.

Hypothermia and immunosuppressive drugs may promote surgical wound infection. We successfully performed an emergency total arch replacement with mild hypothermia and selective cerebral perfusion for a renal transplant recipient. The postoperative course was almost uneventful without any surgical site infection.

The case of an explanted 16-year-old mitral Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis.

We report the case of a mitral Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis that was explanted from a 43-year-old female patient because of structural valve deterioration 16 years following implantation. Upon removal, the prosthesis was found to be discolored and all leaflets were stiff and hard, showing extensive calcification, pannus overgrowth, leaflet hematoma, and multiple disruptions. One leaflet presented a wavy free margin due to commissural disruptions, leading to incomplete cusp coaptation.

Successful removal of an infected pacemaker lead using cardiopulmonary bypass in an 89-year-old patient.

We report the case of an 89-year-old patient suffering from endocarditis with septicemia caused by a growth on a pacemaker lead. The entire pacemaker system was successfully removed using cardiopulmonary bypass. Although the patient was an octogenarian in poor condition with a systemic infection, an aggressive operation with careful perioperative management gave a good clinical result.