Endoscopic Pedicle Saphenous Vein Graft Harvesting.

The excellent long-term patency of no-touch (NT) saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) makes the grafts very attractive for coronary artery bypass grafting; however, NT-SVG harvesting has a greater incidence of wound complications than conventional methods. Since 2009, we have performed endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) in our department with very few major wound complications. Because NT-SVG harvesting is expected to provide long-term patency, if performed with EVH, the incidence of wound complications will be reduced.

Risk factors for early-onset high myopia after treatment for retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of myopia and high myopia and the risk factors for high myopia in infants at 3 years of age with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Study Design: Retrospective, observational.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all 89 preterm infants (178 eyes) with medical records of ROP between October 2008 and March 2018 at Toho University Medical Center Omori Hospital; these infants had a birth weight of less than 1,500 g and were followed up at least until 3 years of age.

MOF-Polymer Hybrid Materials: From Simple Composites to Tailored Architectures.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are inherently crystalline, brittle porous solids. Conversely, polymers are flexible, malleable, and processable solids that are used for a broad range of commonly used technologies. The stark differences between the nature of MOFs and polymers has motivated efforts to hybridize crystalline MOFs and flexible polymers to produce composites that retain the desired properties of these disparate materials.

Self-Assembly of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Nanoparticle Monolayers and Free-Standing Multilayers.

We report the first self-assembled porous monolayer and free-standing multilayer films composed of metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles. Self-assembled MOF monolayers (SAMMs) were assembled at a liquid-air interface to produce films that are 87 wt % (89 vol %) MOF. Monolayer self-assembly was aided by growing a layer of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on the particle surface using a histamine anchor.

[Mitral Valve and Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation in a Patient with Dextrocardia and Absence of the Inferior Vena Cava].

Dextrocardia is a rare condition frequently associated with multiple and complex cardiovascular abnormalities. A 66-year-old woman, who had been diagnosed with dextrocardia at young age, was referred to our hospital with complaint of increasing dyspnea. Severe mitral regurgitation, moderate tricuspid regurgitation, and atrial fibrillation were detected.

[Coronary Artery to Pulmonary Artery Fistula with a Large Coronary Artery Aneurysm Detected by Multi-detector Row Computed Tomography;Report of a Case].

We report a case of coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula with a large coronary artery aneurysm (80 mm). A 62-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of syncope without heart failure. Electrocardiogram abnormality and asynergy in the anteroseptal wall were detected on echocardiography.

Defect-Free MOF-Based Mixed-Matrix Membranes Obtained by Corona Cross-Linking.

Functionalized UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks (MOF) particles were covalently grafted with hydride-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) via postsynthetic modification. These PDMS-coated MOF particles (termed here "corona-MOF") were used in the preparation of mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs). Defect-free MMMs with weight loadings of 50% were achieved with corona-MOF particles, attributed to the improved dispersibility of the corona-MOF particles and covalent linkages between the corona-MOF particles and the polymer matrix.

Reproducibility of Neonate Ocular Circulation Measurements Using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy.

Measuring the ocular blood flow in neonates may clarify the relationships between eye diseases and ocular circulation abnormalities. However, no method for noninvasively measuring ocular circulation in neonates is established. We used laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) modified for neonates to measure their ocular circulation and investigated whether this method is reproducible.

[Cardiac Amyloidosis Diagnosed Following Mitral Valve Repair; Report of a Case].

We present a case of a 60-year-old female who underwent elective mitral valve repair for mitral valve regurgitation. Intra-aortic balloon pumping was necessary to wean her from cardiopulmonary bypass, and a sudden cardiac arrest happened on postoperative day 17. Due to such unexpected postoperative course, a right ventricular biopsy was done, and she was diagnosed with light chain amyloidosis (AL) type cardiac amyloidosis.

Anterior and posterior papillary muscle rupture after myocardial infarction.

A 66-year-old man was referred in cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction. Echocardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation with prolapse of the posterior mitral leaflet due to papillary muscle rupture. Emergency coronary angiography showed subtotal occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery.

Myrmecophilous rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) associated with Aenictus hodgsoni (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Thailand, with description of two new genera and three new species.

Three species of rove beetles (subfamily Aleocharinae) were collected from colonies of Aenictus hodgsoni Forel, 1901 in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. They are classified into three genera, including two new genera, and described herein as: Aenictobia siamensis Maruyama, sp. n.

Very rare case of large obstructive myxofibrosarcoma of the right ventricle assessed with multi-diagnostic imaging techniques.

Primary myxofibrosarcoma of the heart is quite rare. We herein present the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with large obstructive myxofibrosarcoma of the right ventricle (RV), as assessed on multi-diagnostic imaging techniques (multidetector row computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography). Most previous cases of cardiac myxofibrosarcoma have been reported in the left atrium and ventricle.

Extensive resection and double-patch reconstruction for left atrial myxoma.

The efficacy and safety of surgical intervention for atrial myxoma are established, but the operative approach to tumor resection and atrial reconstruction are controversial. A biatrial approach is generally used for excision of atrial myxoma and has many advantages. In contrast, there are a few reports about the method of double-patch reconstruction, and the right and left atrium are individually reconstructed with the two patches.

Hemostatic effectiveness of a new application method for fibrin glue, the "rub-and-spray method", in emergency aortic surgery for acute aortic dissection.

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the clinical hemostatic effectiveness of a new application method for fibrin glue, the rub-and-spray method, in aortic surgery.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients undergoing emergency ascending aorta or ascending-hemiarch replacement for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection were prospectively randomized into 2 groups, one with the rub-and-spray method (group G, 10 patients) and one without fibrin glue (group C, 10 patients). The rub-and-spray method consists of using a finger to rub the fibrinogen solution over needle holes, then spraying the fibrinogen solution and the thrombin solution simultaneously over the anastomosis, using an application nozzle.

[Aortitis syndrome with repeated restenoses of a drug eluting stent].

The patient was a 49-year-old female who developed acute myocardial infarction of the right coronary artery in August 2005. In a short period of time, the patient had restenosis repeatedly after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Restenosis could not be prevented even with a drug eluting stent (DES), and thus, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) was performed.

Mitral valve stenosis caused by abnormal pannus extension over the prosthetic ring and leaflets after Duran ring mitral annuloplasty.

We treated a 61-year-old woman with mitral stenosis caused by pannus formation after Duran ring annuloplasty. Pannus overgrowth on the ring with extension onto both leaflets narrowed the mitral orifice and severely restricted the mobility of the valve leaflets. Mitral valve replacement with a St.

New general method for regio- and stereoselective allylic substitution with aryl and alkenyl coppers derived from Grignard reagents.

Allylic substitution with sp(2)-carbon reagents (aryl and alkenyl anions) was realized by using allylic picolinates and copper reagents derived from RMgBr and CuBr x Me(2)S to afford anti S(N)2' products regio- and stereoselectively. Steric and electronic factors in the reagents and the size of the methylene substituents around the allylic moiety marginally affected the selectivity. The reaction system was compatible with alkyl reagents as well.

Surgical strategy for impending rupture of an infected anastomotic pseudoaneurysm of the aorta 9 years after a Bentall procedure: radical surgery involving en bloc resection of the infected sternum, pseudoaneurysm, and artificial vascular graft.

Infection of the sternum and anterior mediastinitis after open heart surgery are serious complications that are intractable with high case fatality rates. Frequently, infection spreads to an artificial foreign body in the mediastinum, causing difficulties with treatment. We report a case of infected pseudoaneurysm of the aorta at the anastomotic site of the artificial vascular graft.

Picolinoxy group, a new leaving group for anti SN2' selective allylic substitution with aryl anions based on Grignard reagents.

The picolinoxy group was found to be an extremely powerful leaving group for allylic substitution with aryl nucleophiles derived from ArMgBr and CuBr*Me2S. The substitution proceeds with anti SN2' pathway and with high chirality transfer. The electron-withdrawing effect of the pyridyl group and chelation to MgBr2 are likely the origin of success.

Surgical repair for entire inferior vena cava occlusion in Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Successful repair of thrombotic occlusion of the entire inferior vena cava, including the iliac and hepatic veins, was performed on a 51-year-old man with Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with severe liver dysfunction.

Cardiac angiosarcoma with right atrial perforation and cardiac tamponade.

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare tumor associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of a 59-year-old woman with right atrial angiosarcoma presenting with cardiac tamponade due to right atrial perforation. She underwent urgent surgical resection of the tumor.

Perioperative coronary artery spasm in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and its possible relation with perioperative hypomagnesemia.

Purpose: We experienced 3 cases of serious perioperative coronary artery spasm in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). In consideration of the causes, we directed our attention to hypomagnesemia, one of the triggers of coronary artery spasm. This study was performed to confirm the tendency to hypomagnesemia in OPCAB.