Effect of aromatherapy massage on elderly patients under long-term hospitalization in Japan.

Objectives: To verify the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on elderly patients under long-term hospitalization.

Design: Aromatherapy massage was performed twice a week for a total of eight times.

Setting: Nursing home.

Effects of low-intensity resistance exercise with vascular occlusion on physical function in healthy elderly people.

Some successful fall prevention programs include resistance or balance training, but less is known about the effects of low-intensity resistance exercise with moderate vascular occlusion (LIO) on physical function in healthy elderly people. In LIO, appropriate pressure is applied to the proximal parts of the upper and lower extremities with a specially designed belt. The reduction of muscle blood flow is considered likely to induce the secretion of growth hormone.

Incomplete ventricular septal rupture following blunt chest trauma--a case report.

This report describes a case of traumatic incomplete rupture of the ventricular septum, a rare complication caused by blunt chest trauma. Although a serial ECG progressed its course similar to acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction in this case, there was little clinical clue of septal tear. The diagnosis was established by transthoracic echocardiography.

Increasing circulation in the lower limb under general anesthesia using the A-V impulse system.

The action of foot impulse technology (FIT) in reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is well established. We hypothesized that intraoperative use of FIT devices will be effective in the prophylaxis of DVT. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a FIT device (A-V impulse system) on the venous flow of the lower extremity using duplex ultrasound scanning while the patient was under general anesthesia.

Overexpression of transforming growth factor beta1 in smooth muscle cells of human abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective: to examine the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and the cell kinetics of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) at the neck of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Materials And Methods: expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and TGF-beta1 was evaluated by immunostaining, and cell kinetics were estimated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and Ki-67 immunostaining in 11 AAAs (at both the dilated region and the neck) and eight occlusive aortas.

Results: the TUNEL-positive SMC ratio in the neck and dilated region was significantly higher than in the occlusive aorta (p<0.

Doxycycline treatment in a model of early abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects doxycycline (Dox) in animal models of early abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Methods: Of 43 male Wistar rats, 33 underwent intraluminal perfusion of the abdominal aorta with thioglycolate plus plasmin to reproduce early aortic aneurysm. These rats then were treated for 7 days with subcutaneous injections of Dox or saline.

Stent-graft repair of a mycotic left subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm.

Purpose: To report successful stent-graft treatment of a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the left subclavian artery in an immunosuppressed patient.

Case Report: A 17-year-old immunosuppressed woman undergoing treatment for recurrent leukemia developed persistent fever and 2 episodes of hemoptysis. A contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scan demonstrated a saccular aneurysm of the left subclavian artery, which was considered to be a mycotic aneurysm caused by erosive fungal infection from the lung.

Endobronchial occlusion method of bronchopleural fistula with metallic coils and glue.

We describe our technique for endobronchial occlusion of bronchopleural fistula (BPF) with metallic coils and glue through a fiber-optic bronchoscope under local anesthesia. After anchoring the vascular embolization coils at the fistula bronchus, cyanoacrylate glue was sprayed. The sprayed glue obliterates gaps between the coils and stabilizes them.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator in varicose veins.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) with regard to varicose veins (VVs). Immunohistochemical staining and ELISA were performed on samples from 73 patients with the following leg VVs: 82 greater saphenous veins (GSV) from the groin (GSV groin), 28 GSV from the ankle (GSV ankle), 85 VVs, and 13 normal GSV groin (control [CR]) obtained during coronary artery bypass surgery. Immunohistochemically, MMP-9 was localized in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the tunica media.

Use of three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography of pulmonary vessels for lung resections.

Background: Identification and appropriate treatment of the pulmonary artery (PA) is a key to successful anatomic resection of the lung. Preoperative identification of branching pattern of the PA seems to make pulmonary resection easier and safer especially when there is severe adhesion or incomplete fissure between the lobes. With the development of the multidetector row spiral computed tomography (MDCT), three-dimensional (3D) CT angiography can be obtained easily and can provide very useful information about various organs.

Use of near-infrared spectroscopic measurement at the buttocks during abdominal aortic surgery.

During abdominal aortic surgery, dynamic changes occur in the pelvic circulation. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used in this study to evaluate arterial flow in the buttocks as a monitor of arterial flow in the pelvic area during abdominal aortic surgery. Twenty-two patients who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy comprised the study group.

Results of wedge resection for focal bronchioloalveolar carcinoma showing pure ground-glass attenuation on computed tomography.

Background: Focal bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) showing pure ground-glass attenuation (GGA) on thin-section computed tomography (CT), which is considered to be an early-stage adenocarcinoma, has been diagnosed with increasing frequency due to the development and spread of the helical CT scanner. We discussed the appropriateness of limited resection for this type of lesion.

Methods: Between July 1996 and June 2001, 17 patients with localized BAC showing "pure GGA" (GGA without central scar formation) on thin-section CT underwent limited pulmonary resections.

Intrathoracic aneurysm of the innominate and right subclavian arteries: report of a case.

Aneurysms of the innominate and subclavian arteries are uncommon but associated with high mortality rates. We report herein the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with facial anhidrosis that developed several years after blunt thoracic trauma, in whom an aneurysm involving the innominate and subclavian arteries was revealed by preoperative examinations. Resection of the aneurysm and reconstruction from the ascending aorta to both the subclavian and common carotid arteries using a bifurcated graft was successfully performed without brain perfusion.

Plasminogen activators, matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in implanted vascular prostheses.

Objectives: To examine the role of plasminogen activators (PAs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the healing of prosthetic grafts.

Methods: Thirty explanted grafts (16 Dacron and 14 PTFE) were studied immunohistochemically using antibodies to PAs, MMPs, and their inhibitors. The percentages of immunostain-positive multinucleated giant cells (MGC) were related to duration of implantation (early vs late), type of lesion (stenosis vs false aneurysm), graft material (Dacron vs PTFE), and graft status (occluded vs patent).

[A case of a combined aortectomy with dissection of recurrent paraaortic lymph nodes of sigmoid colon cancer].

A combined aortectomy was performed on a patient with recurrence of sigmoid colon cancer in the paraaortic lymph nodes. The 48-year-old woman was found to have tumor recurrence in the lymph nodes in the area between the aortic bifurcation and the paraaortic area, accompanied by left hydronephrosis, four years after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer (H0, P0, ss, n3, stage IIIb). No metastasis to distant areas was detected at that time.

Bilateral Jejuno-mesenteric flap for reconstruction of complicated pharyngoesophageal defect.

The surgical management of an infectious and fistulous wound with a pharyngoesophageal tumor is one of the greatest challenges for head and neck and plastic surgeons. The free jejunal transfer has been the standard technique for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, and the free omental flap has been one of the most reliable methods for reconstructing contaminated wounds. A jejuno-mesenteric flap is suitable for such complicated wounds.

Rupture of pseudointima in an implanted vascular prosthesis: immunohistological study of plasminogen activators and matrix metalloproteinases.

We investigated late-onset anastomotic stenosis in an implanted prosthetic graft. Rupture of the pseudointima and hemorrhaging from the vasa vasorum were observed at the border of the collagenous tissue and fibrin layer. An immunohistological study showed that the fibrin layer was positive for tPA, but weakly positive for PAI-1.

Simultaneous determination of bromide, nitrite and nitrate ions in seawater by capillary zone electrophoresis using artificial seawater as the carrier solution.

We describe capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for the simultaneous determination of bromide, nitrite and nitrate ions in seawater. Artificial seawater was adopted as the carrier solution to eliminate the interference of high concentrations of salts in seawater. The artificial seawater was free from bromide ion to enable the determination of bromide ion in a sample solution.

Enhanced embryonic nonmuscle myosin heavy chain isoform and matrix metalloproteinase expression in aortic abdominal aneurysm with rapid progression.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are characterized by structural deterioration of aortic wall leading to progressive dilatation. The histopathological changes in AAAs are particularly evident within the elastic media, which is normally comprised mainly of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). There are vascular myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms; SM2 is specifically expressed in differentiated SMCs and SMemb is a nonmuscle-type MHC abundantly expressed in SMCs of the fetal aorta with an immature phenotype.

Exclusion of internal iliac arterial aneurysm concomitant with abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: To study the long-term outcomes after exclusion of internal iliac arterial aneurysm performed concomitantly with abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with ruptured aortic aneurysm or other high-risk conditions.

Methods: The 31 patients who participated in this study underwent emergency (N = 9) or elective surgery (N = 22). The abdominal aortic aneurysm and the common iliac artery were excluded together with the internal iliac aneurysm in 7 patients.

Insulin stimulates the growth and tube formation of human microvascular endothelial cells through autocrine vascular endothelial growth factor.

Insulin treatment is known epidemiologically as an independent risk factor for the progression of diabetic retinopathy. However, how insulin exacerbates the retinopathy is not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigate the effects of insulin on the growth and tube formation of microvascular endothelial cells (EC).

Arterial anastomosis using the telescoping method and an elastomeric adhesive.

We experimentally studied a new technique for anastomosis of small arteries which involves the telescoping method and a surgical adhesive with the objective of examining its clinical potential. This technique was applied to the unilateral femoral arteries of 27 mongrel dogs. After division of the artery, the distal artery was incised longitudinally, and the proximal end was invaginated into the opened artery.

[Extended resection of the great vessels for primary lung cancer and mediastinal tumor].

From 1973 to 1998, we resected and reconstructed the great vessels in 44 patients with primary lung cancer or mediastinal tumor. Among them, 39 patients (28 with lung cancer and 11 with mediastinal tumor) and 5 patients (all with lung cancer) underwent reconstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) and aorta, respectively. The SVC was repaired by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE) graft (n = 8), prosthetic patch (n = 5) or direct suture (n = 26).