Characterization of dehydrochlorinated poly(vinylidene chloride) and the shock-compressed material

Dehydrochlorinated poly(vinylidene chloride) proved to be a conjugated polyene-polyene polymer. Shock compression of the polymer formed a large portion of graphite and trace amounts of diamond and of an unknown carbon. The unknown carbon belongs to the hexagonal crystal system and possesses the cell dimension α₀ = 0.338 nm. A comparison with known carbynes was made in terms of the crystalline parameters.     

ENDOSCOPIC PANCREATIC STENTING IN CHRONIC PANCREATITIS WITH DUCTAL DILATION PROXIMAL TO A STRICTURE: A SAFE and EFFECTIVE PROTOCOL

After removal of intraductal stones, a 10‐Fr or 7‐Fr pancreatic stent was placed in 16 patients with upstream ductal dilation proximal to a stricture of the main pancreatic duct. Stents were removed after a mean duration of 52.5 days. Nine patients underwent repeated stenting. About one year after removal of the initial stent, when the remaining upstream ductal dilation was found on follow‐up pancreatograms, the next stent was replaced. Repeated stenting improved outflow of pancreatic juice more effectively than one‐time stenting. Correlation between long‐term pain relief without recurrence of intraductal stones and reduction of duct diameter was also shown. Stent occlusion was observed in 14 of 30 stents. Stent occlusion was frequently associated with recurrence of pancreatitis and intraductal stones, and was also associated with morphologic changes in the pancreatic ductal system. Although there were no significant differences between stent patency of the initial stents and that of the next stents, stent patency of 10‐Fr stents was superior to that of 7‐Fr stents. 10‐Fr stents should be removed within 8 weeks and 7‐Fr stents should be removed within 4 weeks for the prevention of stent occlusion. Repeated stenting with short‐term stenting is therefore considered a safe and effective protocol of endoscopic pancreatic stenting.     

Q-Switched Alexandrite Laser Therapy for Pigmentation of the Lips Owing to Laugier-Hunziker Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Laugier-Hunziker (LH) syndrome is a rare benign condition in which hyperpigmentation of the lips and buccal mucosa occurs with no systemic associations. OBJECTIVE: We report the response to treatment with the Q-switched alexandrite laser (QSAL) because there are few reports on therapy for LH syndrome. METHODS: The QSAL was used for pigmentation of the lips in a 63-year-old woman with LH syndrome. Laser irradiation was done at 5.0 J/cm2 with a 3 mm spot size. RESULTS: There was 100% clearance of pigmentation of the lips with a single laser treatment, and recurrence was not observed after 6 months. CONCLUSION: The QSAL is very effective for pigmentation owing to LH syndrome.     

Cosmetic benefits of lower midline skin incision for pediatric open heart operation

OBJECTIVE: Since we developed the procedure in 1996, we have now performed 100 pediatric open heart operations using a lower midline skin incision and a minimal sternotomy approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: To elucidate the benefits of this approach, we analyzed these 100 cases retrospectively. There was no death, and no major complication, caused by this approach, and the resulting scarring in each patient is difficult to be seen under a common undershirt. CONCLUSION: This review shows that the technique of a lower midline skin incision and minimal sternotomy approach is a safe reliable and cosmetically advantageous method for a pediatric cardiac operation.