Computer-aided demarcation of early gastric cancer: a pilot comparative study with endoscopists.

Background: Precise area diagnosis of early gastric cancer (EGC) is critical for reliable endoscopic resection. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) shows strong potential for detecting EGC and reducing cancer-care disparities caused by differences in endoscopists' skills. To be used in clinical practice, CAD should enable both the detection and the demarcation of lesions.

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm in a Child With Fibulin-4 Deficiency.

EFEMP2 (alias FBLN4) encodes extracellular matrix protein fibulin-4, and its mutation is associated with autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1B and leads to severe aortopathy with aneurysm formation and vascular tortuosity. A 4-month-old child presented with a large ascending aortic aneurysm, and genetic testing revealed an EFEMP2 mutation. We achieved successful repair of the ascending aortic aneurysm at 33 months of age and report the macroscopic and microscopic findings.

Valve selection for the aortic position in dialysis patients.

Background: Prosthetic valve selection in dialysis patients remains controversial because of the limited data available. This study aimed to clarify late clinical outcomes and discuss strategies for optimal valve selection in dialysis patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data obtained from 406 consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between 1995 and 2010.

Superior mesenteric artery plasty for type A acute aortic dissection with visceral ischemia.

Treatment of visceral ischemia complicated with acute type A aortic dissection is controversial. We had two cases of acute type A aortic dissection complicated by superior mesenteric artery (SMA) ischemia and successfully treated them with direct SMA perfusion during central aortic repair followed by SMA plasty. The presented procedures can be an option to treat visceral ischemia with a standard operative theater and equipment.

Recent risk factors for open surgical mortality in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aim: We examined recent relevant prognostic factors for the outcome of open surgical treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2012, 35 patients received emergency open surgical treatment for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm at our institute. We reviewed ambulance activity logs and clinical records of 34 infrarenal ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm patients retrospectively.

Effects of the side of arteriovenous fistula on outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery in hemodialysis-dependent patients.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether using the in situ internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft ipsilateral to the arteriovenous fistula adversely affects the outcomes after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the dialysis-dependent patients to answer the concerns of a possible steal and consequent myocardial ischemia.

Methods: We categorized 155 dialysis patients undergoing isolated CABG between January 1993 and December 2011 into 108 patients (70%, ipsilateral group) whose left anterior descending artery (LAD) was revascularized with the ITA ipsilateral to the arteriovenous fistula and 47 patients (contralateral group) whose LAD was grafted with the ITA opposite to the fistula, to compare their early and late outcomes.

Results: While 94% of the ipsilateral group had left fistula, 55% of the contralateral group had left fistulas.

Clinical validation of coronary artery flow through an intracoronary shunt during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: Intracoronary shunts have been developed for a bloodless field and preserved forward flow preventing ischemia during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. However, reports directly measuring the forward flow through the shunt in clinical settings are lacking.

Methods: Using a 7.

Predictors for early and late outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Markedly higher hospital and long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been reported in hemodialysis (HD)-dependent patients. We tried to identify the predictors for short-term and long-term outcomes after CABG, which have not been well studied.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2010, 152 patients undergoing HD (117 men; HD duration of 8.

Can we predict the site of entry tear by computed tomography in patients with acute type a aortic dissection?

Background: In patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAD), localization of the primary entry tear to be excluded is of major importance for intervention.

Hypothesis: There are reliable indirect computed tomography (CT) findings to predict the entry site.

Methods: In 83 patients with type A AAD whose primary entry tears were identified surgically between 2003 and 2009, we retrospectively examined the diagnostic CT scans regarding pericardial effusion, the largest short-axial diameter of the aorta, widths of true and false lumens, and false lumen thrombosis at 6 levels of thoracic aorta from the aortic root to the descending aorta.

Long-term size follow-up of knitted Dacron grafts (Gelseal™) used in the ascending aorta.

There is limited information about the size change of a knitted Dacron graft (Gelseal™) used in the thoracic aorta. We evaluated the diameters of the Gelseal™ grafts at a long-term follow-up for 3.7 ± 1.

Bis(methylthio)tetracenes: synthesis, crystal-packing structures, and OFET properties.

5,12-Bis(methylthio)tetracene (2) and 5,11-bis(methylthio)tetracene (3) were synthesized. DFT calculations indicate that the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of 2 and 3 are lowered by 0.13-0.

Simplified management of hemodialysis-dependent patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: The mortality and morbidity rates are high after cardiac surgery in hemodialysis (HD)-dependent patients. To improve their outcomes, optimal perioperative managements should be discussed.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 245 HD patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 1994 and 2007 was conducted.

Transit-time flow characteristics of in situ right gastroepiploic arterial grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: We investigated flow characteristics of right gastroepiploic arterial grafts, widely used to extend in situ arterial conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: Intraoperative transit-time measurements and postoperative angiographic findings were obtained for 111 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with gastroepiploic artery and bilateral internal thoracic arteries: mean, maximum, and minimum flows; pulsatility index; insufficiency rate; and differentiated index of early diastolic flow.

Results: Favored target for gastroepiploic artery was posterior descending artery (106 patients, 95%).

2,8- and 2,9-Diboryltetracenes as useful building blocks for extended pi-conjugated tetracenes.

Ir-catalyzed direct diborylation of tetracene gave a 1:1 mixture of 2,8- and 2,9-bis[(pinacolato)boryl]tetracenes, which were separated by recrystallization. These diboryltetracenes are useful building blocks for the regiospecific synthesis of extended pi-conjugated tetracenes directed to semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Syntheses of thiophene-tetracene-thiophene, thiophene-tetracene-bithiophene-tetracene-thiophene, and thiophene-tetracene-anthracene-tetracene-thiophene pi-systems have been achieved on the basis of the 2,8- and 2,9-diboryltetracenes.

Safer aortic crossclamping during short-term moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest for cardiac surgery in patients with a bad ascending aorta.

Objective: Cardiac surgery in patients with severely atherosclerotic or porcelain ascending aorta is technically challenging, with markedly increased risk of atheroembolism. We describe a technique of meticulous crossclamping of a difficult aorta during short-term moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Methods: From 1997 to 2007, we found 40 patients (mean age, 70 +/- 8 years), including 14 patients undergoing hemodialysis, whose preoperative computed tomographic and intraoperative epiaortic ultrasonographic scans revealed eggshell calcification (n = 15) or protruding atheromas (n = 25) of the ascending aorta.

Soluble precursors of 2,3-naphthalocyanine and phthalocyanine for use in thin film transistors.

Soluble precursors of 2,3-naphthalocyanine (Nc) and phthalocyanine (Pc) were prepared and were converted into insoluble semiconducting thin films of Pc and Nc by heating after fabrication via spin-coating.

The current role of preoperative and intraoperative autologous blood donation in pediatric open-heart surgery.

Objective: We assessed the current role of preoperative and intraoperative autologous blood donation in pediatric open-heart surgery.

Methods: Group 1 consisted of 51 patients between 5 and 10 years old who underwent preoperative autologous blood donation. Group 2 consisted of 50 age-matched patients without preoperative donation as controls.