Photoemission spectroscopy and microscopy for Ta@Si superatoms and their assembled layers.

Superatoms (SAs) with specific compositions have the potential to significantly advance the field of nanomaterials science, leading to next-generation nanoscale functionalities. In this study, we fabricated assembled layers with tantalum metal-atom encapsulating silicon cage (Ta@Si) SAs on an organic C substrate through deposition, and we characterized their electronic and optical properties by photoelectron spectroscopy and microscopy. The alkaline nature of Ta@Si SAs reveals their electronic behaviors, such as charge transfer and electromagnetic near-field sensing, through two-photon photoemission (2PPE) spectroscopy and microscopy with a femtosecond laser.

A Case of Transapical Thoracic Endovascular Repair for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm with a Complicated Access Route.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) is an alternative treatment option for high-risk patients. While conventionally performed via a transfemoral approach, it is sometimes difficult due to poor access routes. We report the case of a 90-year-old man who was incidentally diagnosed with a descending TAA while undergoing computed tomography for esophageal cancer.

Localized surface plasmon resonances of size-selected large silver nanoclusters ( = 70-100) soft-landed on a C organic substrate.

Silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) exhibit a remarkable optical property known as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the visible to ultraviolet wavelengths. In this study, we address the size gap in LSPR responses between small NCs and nano-islands by synthesizing large Ag NCs with a countable number of atoms ( = 70-100) using a magnetron sputtering method, which were precisely size-selected and soft-landed onto substrates. The monodispersed Ag NCs were immobilized on a pre-decorated substrate with fullerene (C) molecules, and their LSPR behaviors were characterized using two-photon photoemission (2PPE) spectroscopy.

Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) Measurements on Alkali Metal Superatoms of Ta-Atom-Encapsulated Si Cage.

The silicon cage nanoclusters encapsulating a tantalum atom, termed Ta@Si, exhibit characteristics of alkali metal "superatoms (SAs)". Despite this conceptual framework, the precise structures of Ta@Si and Ta@Si remain unclear in quantum calculations due to three energetically close structural isomers: , , and structures. To identify the geometrical structure of Ta@Si SAs, structural analysis was conducted using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) with a high-intensity monochromatic X-ray source, keeping anaerobic conditions.

Combination of co-amorphization with SNEDDS outperforms Ofev® in the oral absorption of nintedanib.

Nintedanib (NTD), approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and advanced non-small cell lung cancer, is one of brick dusts with high melting point. Although NTD has been marketed as Ofev®, a soft capsule of NTD ethanesulfonate (NTD-ESA) suspended in oil components, the oral bioavailability is quite low and highly variable. To improve the oral absorption behavior of NTD, we prepared SNEDDS formulation containing NTD-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) complex with 2% HPMCP-50.

Oxidative Activation of Small Aluminum Nanoclusters with Boron Atom Substitution prior to Completing the Endohedral B@Al Superatom.

Elemental substitution and doping validate the optimization of chemical and physical properties of functional materials, and the composition ratio of the substituting atoms generally determines their properties by changing their geometric and electronic structures. For atomically precise nanoclusters (NCs) consisting of countable atom aggregates, the composition can be controlled accurately to provide an ideal model to study the heteroatom substitution effects. Since aluminum (Al) and boron (B) both belong to group 13 in the periodic table, the effect of B atom substitution on Al NCs can be investigated while maintaining the total number of valence electrons in AlB NCs.

[Acute Coronary Syndrome Caused by Papillary Fibroelastoma:Report of a Case].

A 72-year-old female had persistent severe chest pain while climbing stairs. She was diagnosed as having acute coronary syndrome, and underwent an emergency coronary angiography (CAG). The right coronary artery (RCA) ostium was sub-totally occluded.

Coexistence of growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and testosterone deficiency associated with coronavirus disease 2019: a case followed up for 15 months.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with endocrine disorders, but their long-term clinical course remains unclear. We here report the 15-month clinical course for an individual with multiple endocrine disorders of the pituitary gland and testis likely triggered by COVID-19. A 65-year-old man with no history of endocrinopathy was admitted for acute COVID-19 pneumonia.

[Bentall Operation for Pregnant Women with Marfan's Syndrome].

A 35-years-old pregnant woman with Marfan's syndrome visited the emergent department. She had sudden severe back pain. She was at the 20th week of gestation.

Pulmonary artery augmentation and aortic valve repair using novel tissue-engineered grafts.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the results when tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) are used as alternatives to autologous pericardium for surgically augmenting the pulmonary artery (PA) or aortic valve.

Methods: TEVG molds were embedded into subcutaneous spaces for more than 4 weeks preoperatively. Since 2014, 6 patients have undergone PA reconstruction, whereas 1 has undergone aortic valve plasty (AVP) with TEVGs.

Extensive improvement of oral bioavailability of mebendazole, a brick dust, by polymer-containing SNEDDS preparation: Disruption of high crystallinity by utilizing its counter ion.

Poorly water-soluble and poorly lipid-soluble drugs are called as "brick dust" and it is very hard for them to be formulated as some dosage form which can provide an effective bioavailability after oral administration. Mebendazole (MBZ), an anti-helminthic drug having anti-cancer properties, is one of the brick dusts and its poor bioavailability has been well known. The strategy of the current study was to improve the oral absorption of MBZ by SNEDDS formulation prepared by utilizing an MBZ-counter ion complex, of which the formation would disrupt the high crystallinity of MBZ.

A tissue-engineered, decellularized, connective tissue membrane for allogeneic arterial patch implantation.

Background: We have previously applied in vivo tissue-engineered vascular grafts constructed in patients' subcutaneous spaces. However, since the formation of these vascular grafts depends on host health, their application is challenging in patients with suppressed regenerative ability. Therefore, the allogeneic implantation of grafts from healthy donors needs to be evaluated.

Automatic radioisotope manipulation for small amount of nuclear medicine using an EWOD device with a dimple structure.

Delicate animal experiments and microdose clinical trials using short-lived radioisotopes require rapid preparation with high accuracy and careful attention to safety within a limited timeframe. We have developed an open-style electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device containing dimple structures for the rapid preparation of radiolabelled reagents. The device was demonstrated by automatic preparation of a technetium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (Tc-DTPA) with high chelation efficiency (99.

Determination of the dominant arch by computational fluid dynamics analysis using computed tomography images in double aortic arch.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis using computed tomography images can reveal the details of the blood flow in cardiovascular disease. In double aortic arch, it is difficult to assess the hemodynamics because of the strong influence of various anatomical features, such as the angle of the aortic bifurcation. In the present study, we reported that CFD analysis is a valuable method for hemodynamic assessment in patients with double aortic arch.

Modifications of the mechanical properties of in vivo tissue-engineered vascular grafts by chemical treatments for a short duration.

In vivo tissue-engineered vascular grafts constructed in the subcutaneous spaces of graft recipients have functioned well clinically. Because the formation of vascular graft tissues depends on several recipient conditions, chemical pretreatments, such as dehydration by ethanol (ET) or crosslinking by glutaraldehyde (GA), have been attempted to improve the initial mechanical durability of the tissues. Here, we compared the effects of short-duration (10 min) chemical treatments on the mechanical properties of tissues.

Prediction for future occurrence of type A aortic dissection using computational fluid dynamics.

Objectives: The actual underlying mechanisms of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) are not well understood. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of AAAD using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.

Methods: We performed CFD analysis using patient-specific computed tomography imaging in 3 healthy control cases and 3 patients with AAAD.

Confined Hot Electron Relaxation at the Molecular Heterointerface of the Size-Selected Plasmonic Noble Metal Nanocluster and Layered C.

The plasmonic response of metallic nanostructures plays a key role in amplifying photocatalytic and photoelectric conversion. Since the plasmonic behavior of noble metal nanoparticles is known to generate energetic charge carriers such as hot electrons, it is expected that the hot electrons can enhance conversion efficiency if they are transferred into a neighboring molecule or semiconductor. However, the method of transferring the energized charge carriers from the plasmonically generated hot electrons to the neighboring species remains controversial.

Effects of Short-Duration Ethanol Dehydration on Mechanical Properties of Porcine Pericardium.

Purpose: Autologous pericardium is an ideal material for cardiovascular reconstruction including pulmonary artery plasty. Despite the fact that dehydration by ethanol has been used to improve its surgical handling, the effects of the ethanol on mechanical properties of the pericardium have not been previously investigated. The effects of short-duration ethanol dehydration on the mechanical properties of porcine pericardium were evaluated.

Histology and Mechanics of In Vivo Tissue-Engineered Vascular Graft for Children.

Purpose: This study sought to evaluate the histologic and mechanical properties of autologous in vivo tissue-engineered vascular grafts (in vivo TEVGs) used for pediatric heart surgery.

Description: Molds of in vivo TEVGs made of silicone drain tubes were embedded into subcutaneous spaces in 2 boys during their first operation and were used as patch materials to treat pulmonary artery stenosis during the second operation. The remaining pieces of the patches were evaluated histologically and mechanically.

Symptomatic Ipsilateral Limb Twisting Due to Extensive Rotational Re-orientation of the C3 Excluder.

Introduction: Since the introduction of the Gore C3 device, which allows level re-positioning and contralateral gate cannulation, there have been very few reported complications due to excessive readjustment attempts. A case is reported of ipsilateral limb twisting and severe stenosis caused by extensive rotational re-orientation of the C3 system during a challenging intra-operative gate catheterisation.

Report: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) was performed for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

[A Case of Aortic Graft Infection Due to Detected by Microarray-Based, Multiplexed, Automated Molecular Diagnosis System].

A 80-year-old man was transferred to our hospital for hemoptysis caused by erosion(perforation) of thoracic aortic stent graft infection into the airway. Blood cultures on admission detected Gram-positive rods, and a microarray-based, multiplexed, automated molecular diagnosis instrument (Verigene® system) identified spp. Although is rare organism of stent graft infection, we were able to start appropriate antibiotic therapy on the second hospital day due to rapid identification of bacteria.

Internal Endoconduit Technique during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

The transfemoral approach is the least invasive transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) approach, but the diameter of the iliofemoral arteries needs to exceed 5 mm. We report a case of limited access transfemoral TAVI by the "internal endoconduit technique," which is well known as a safe and effective dilatational technique for thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Subsequently, we could deliver the device without iliac artery injury and we performed transfemoral TAVI.

Glass-based organ-on-a-chip device for restricting small molecular absorption.

The use of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) devices is a promising alternative to existing cell-based assays and animal testing in drug discovery. A rapid prototyping method with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used for developing OOC devices. However, because PDMS tends to absorb small hydrophobic molecules, the loss of test compounds in cell-based assays and increases in background fluorescence during observation often lead to biased results in cell-based assays.