[Pedunculated and Mobile Right Atrial Thrombus Moderately after Mitral Valve Plasty and Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty:Report of a Case].

An 81-year-old female underwent mitral valve plasty and tricuspid annuloplasty using an artificial annulus for mitral valve insufficiency and secondary tricuspid valve insufficiency at our hospital. Echocardiography 5 months later showed no abnormal finding. Eight months after the operation, however, a pedunculated and highly mobile mass in the right atrium was found, and the patient was admitted to our hospital.

[Surgical Repair of Right Atrium Perforation due to Brockenbrough Procedure:Report of a Case].

A 62-year-old woman had a history of catheter ablation three times in the past for atrial fibrillation underwent the fourth catheter ablation. Atrial septum was punctured by Brockenbrough procedure. Two 8 Fr sheaths were inserted into left atrium.

[Constrictive Pericarditis Associated with Pericardial Hematoma:Report of a Case].

A 59-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to keto-acidosis. Electric cardiogram showed history of myocardial infarction. Cardiac echogram showed severe left ventricular hypokinesis, thickened pericardium and pericardial effusion.

Hypothermia Inhibits the Expression of Receptor Interacting Protein Kinases 1 and 3 After Transient Spinal Cord Ischaemia in Rabbits.

Objectives: Necroptosis, a form of regulated necrosis, might be a potential mechanism of delayed paraplegia; therefore, its role in transient spinal cord ischaemia was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis of necroptosis related protein receptor interacting protein kinase (RIP) 1, RIP3, and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (cIAP) 1/2.

Methods: This study used rabbit normothermic (n = 24) and hypothermic (n = 24) transient spinal cord ischaemia models and sham controls (n = 6). Neurological function was assessed according to a modified Tarlov score at 8 h, 1, 2, and 7 days after reperfusion (n = 6 each).

Impact of short-acting loop diuretic doses and cardiac sympathetic nerve abnormalities on outcomes of patients with reduced left ventricular function.

Recent studies reported that high doses of short-acting loop diuretics are associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Short-acting loop diuretics have been shown to activate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and have no favorable effects on cardiac sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between daily doses of furosemide and the outcomes of patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) from the viewpoint of cardiac SNS abnormalities using iodine-123-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (l-MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy.

Multistep Wavelength Switching of Near-Infrared Photoluminescence Driven by Chemical Reactions at Local Doped Sites of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

Local chemical functionalization is used for defect doping of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), to develop near-infrared photoluminescence (NIR PL) properties. We report the multistep wavelength shifting of the NIR PL of SWNTs through chemical reactions at local doped sites tethered to an arylaldehyde group. The PL wavelength of the doped SWNTs is modulated based on imine chemistry.

Control of the Near Infrared Photoluminescence of Locally Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes via Doping by Azacrown-Ether Modification.

Doped semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) through local chemical functionalization (lf-SWNTs) show fascinating photoluminescence (PL) that appears with a longer wavelength and enhanced quantum yield compared to the original PL of non-modified SWNTs. In this study, we introduce an azacrown ether moiety at the doped sites of lf-SWNTs (CR-lf-SWNTs), and observe selective PL wavelength shifts depending on different interaction modes of silver ion inclusion and protonation of the amino group in the ring. Interestingly, their different values of the wavelength shifts show a clear correlation with calculated electron density of the nitrogen atom in the azacrown moiety in case of the inclusion form and the protonated form.

Near infrared photoluminescence modulation by defect site design using aryl isomers in locally functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes.

We newly introduce positional isomeric structures at the defect sites of locally-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (lf-SWNTs) showing unique near infrared photoluminescence (PL). The observed PL is significantly different from that of typical para-aryl modified lf-SWNTs; i.e.

Near infrared photoluminescence modulation of single-walled carbon nanotubes based on a molecular recognition approach.

We present a concept to modulate near infrared photoluminescence (NIR-PL) from locally-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (local-f-SWNTs) based on a molecular recognition approach using newly synthesized phenylboronic acid (PB)-functionalized local-f-SWNTs (PB-SWNTs) and saccharides, in which a selective PL spectral shift is observed by addition of the saccharides.

Primary Cardiac T-Cell Lymphoma Localized in the Mitral Valve.

Primary cardiac lymphoma is a rare cardiac tumor, and usually originates from B cells and involves the right side of the heart. We present an extremely rare case of primary cardiac T-cell lymphoma involving the mitral valve alone. A 58-year-old woman who was positive for human T-cell leukemia virus 1 underwent mitral valve replacement because of severe mitral regurgitation.

Direct numerical simulation of fluid-acoustic interactions in a recorder with tone holes.

To clarify fluid-acoustic interactions in an actual recorder with opened and closed tone holes, flow and acoustic fields were directly numerically simulated on the basis of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. To validate the simulation accuracy, the flow field around the windway and sound pressure above the window were measured. The predicted acoustic fields clarify changes of the positions of pressure nodes and anti-nodes in accordance with the state of the tone holes and the Mach number of the jet velocity.

Endovascular repair of aortic dissection and intramural hematoma: indications and serial changes.

Thoracic aortic dissection (AD) is one of the most common aortic emergencies. It can be fatal if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Intramural hematoma (IMH) of the aorta is recognized as distinct from classic (double-barreled) AD.

Osteoprotegerin is secreted into the coronary circulation: a possible association with the renin-angiotensin system and cardiac hypertrophy.

The circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) level reflects a series of cardiovascular diseases; however, the source(s) of circulating OPG remain(s) to be determined. This study explored whether OPG is released in the coronary circulation and whether it is associated with cardiac structure and function. Fifty-six patients (67±10 years old, male 57%, hypertension 73%, coronary artery disease 50%) were enrolled, and blood samples were collected simultaneously from the orifice of the left coronary artery (CA) and the coronary sinus (CS) after angiography.

Operative modification for the prevention of device-related infection during NIPRO extracorporeal left ventricular assist device implantation.

An operative modification in which the NIPRO left ventricular assist device (LVAD) cannulas are passed through the intraperitoneal cavity is performed as the first-choice standard technique in our institution. Eighteen consecutive patients who underwent NIPRO LVAD implantation as heart transplantation candidates were enrolled in this study. The cannulas were passed through the intraperitoneal cavity in 11 patients (Group IP) and the extraperitoneal space in 7 patients (Group EP).

Total resection of the aortic arch intimal sarcoma using the L-incision technique.

A 26-year-old male suffering from sudden right lower abdominal pain and lumbago was referred to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography demonstrated bilateral kidneys and spleen infarctions, and a large tumour was found occupying the aortic arch and thoracic descending aorta. We suspected that these infarctions were due to tumour embolization.

Reduced fractional shortening of right ventricular outflow tract is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Recent studies suggest the significance of right ventricular (RV) function in the outcome in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVSD); however, global assessment of RV remains to be determined by echocardiogram because of its complex geometry. This study aimed to validate RV outflow tract fractional shortening (RVOT-FS) in the evaluation of RV function and its prognostic value in patients with LVSD.

Methods: This study included eighty-one patients (62 ± 17 years, mean ± SD, male 79%) with reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (≤40%).

Early mitral valve surgery for chronic severe mitral regurgitation optimizes left ventricular performance and left ventricular mass regression.

Objective: The optimal timing of mitral valve surgery for severe mitral regurgitation is controversial. We aimed to evaluate the changes in left ventricular performance using ventricular energetics and left ventricular mass regression after the surgery to determine the appropriate surgical timing in asymptomatic patients with severe mitral regurgitation.

Methods: Fifty consecutive asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients who electively underwent the surgery for severe mitral regurgitation were studied retrospectively.

Ventricular Septal Defect in an Octogenarian: A Case Report of VSD Surgical Repair Concomitant with Coronary Artery Bypass and Valvular Surgery.

Finding an untreated or asymptomatic large ventricular septal defect (VSD) in an elderly patient is uncommon. The present case was an 81-year-old man who suffered from acute myocardial infarction due to three-vessel coronary disease, mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency, and high-flow perimembranous VSD (Qp/Qs 2.3).

Cor triatriatum repair to eliminate suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Development of atrial fibrillation is one of the primary indicators of cor triatriatum in adults. Here we describe a case of a patient suffering cor triatriatum coexistent with frequent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Paroxysms of arrhythmia were not encountered after surgical correction.

Assessment of diastolic function using 16-frame 201Tl gated myocardial perfusion SPECT: a comparative study of QGS2 and pFAST2.

Objective: The objective of the present study is to investigate the correlations across various types of interface software for (201)Tl gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) in calculating two common diastolic function parameters (DFx), peak-filling rates (PFR), and time-to-peak filling (TTPF).

Methods: A total of 109 patients (66 men and 43 women; age 35-78 years) were studied. All patients were classified into three groups (i.

Adiponectin produced in coronary circulation regulates coronary flow reserve in nondiabetic patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue expresses adiponectin protein, and its expression is significantly lower in patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) than in those without CAD. Transcoronary adiponectin levels are significantly decreased in nondiabetic but not in diabetic patients with CAD. Adiponectin is also an important adipocytokine that is linked to insulin resistance and reduces coronary microvascular function.

Angiotensin II stimulates cardiac adrenomedullin production and causes accumulation of mature adrenomedullin independently of hemodynamic stress in vivo.

Adrenomedullin is a potent hypotensive peptide that may act on myocytes to inhibit hypertrophy and on fibroblasts to inhibit growth in vitro induced by mechanical stretching and angiotensin II. Adrenomedullin is processed from the inactive intermediate adrenomedullin precursor with a glycine extension, which is subsequently converted to biologically active mature adrenomedullin by enzymatic amidation. Total adrenomedullin is the sum of intermediate and mature adrenomedullin.