Multivessel coronary revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts

Sixteen patients underwent coronary revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts between 1988 and 1989 at the Okayama University Hospital. A total 39 coronary grafts were performed, being an average of 2.4 grafts per patient. Each patient received bilateral ITA grafts, and in 5 patients an additional 7 grafts were constructed with 5 autologous veins and 2 gastroepiloic arteries. The right ITA was grafted as a free graft in 4 patients. The ITA graft patency rate was 96.8 per cent (31/32) at the time of hospital discharge. The postoperative morbidity included one reoperation for bleeding and one myocardial infarction. Coronary artery bypass grafting with bilateral ITA grafts can be safely performed and its application facilitates complete revascularization with arterial grafts.     

Quickly Updatable Hologram Images Using Poly(N-vinyl Carbazole) (PVCz) Photorefractive Polymer Composite

Quickly updatable hologram images using photorefractive (PR) polymer composite based on poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVCz) is presented. PVCz is one of the pioneer materials of photoconductive polymers. PR polymer composite consists of 44 wt % of PVCz, 35 wt % of 4-azacycloheptylbenzylidene-malonitrile (7-DCST) as a nonlinear optical dye, 20 wt % of carbazolylethylpropionate (CzEPA) as a photoconductive plasticizer and 1 wt % of 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone (TNF) as a sensitizer. PR composite gives high diffraction efficiency of 68% at E = 45 V μm⁻¹. Response speed of optical diffraction is the key parameter for real-time 3D holographic display. The key parameter for obtaining quickly updatable holographic images is to control the glass transition temperature lower enough to enhance chromophore orientation. Object image of the reflected coin surface recorded with reference beam at 532 nm (green beam) in the PR polymer composite is simultaneously reconstructed using a red probe beam at 642 nm. Instead of using a coin object, an object image produced by a computer was displayed on a spatial light modulator (SLM) and used for the hologram. The reflected object beam from an SLM was interfered with a reference beam on PR polymer composite to record a hologram and simultaneously reconstructed by a red probe beam.     

Intraocular biodistribution of mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 in a primate choroidal neovascularization model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the biodistribution of a hydrophilic sensitizer, mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6), in a primate model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: NPe6 (25 mg/kg) and indocyanine green (ICG, 15 mg/kg) were intravenously administered simultaneously in monkeys with laser-induced CNVs. Eyes were enucleated and examined by fluorescence microscopy immediately, 20 minutes, and 1, 4, and 24 hours after dye injection. RESULTS: Fluorescence peaked in retinal vessels immediately after dye administration; rapid washout began 1 hour postinjection. In contrast, experimental CNV demonstrated little fluorescence immediately after injection, with increased intensity at later time points. Peak dye fluorescence in CNV occurred 1 hour following dye injection. NPe6 fluorescence diminished rapidly and washed out completely by 24 hours. The dye accumulation and retention pattern of ICG dye resembled that of NPe6. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the selective accumulation of NPe6 photosensitizer and ICG dye within experimental CNV and rapid clearance from the circulation and retinochoroidal tissue.     

Detrusor instability with equivocal obstruction: A predictor of unfavorable symptomatic outcomes after transurethral prostatectomy

AIMS: To elucidate whether preoperative urodynamic findings can predict outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P). METHODS: Sixty-two patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were categorized in three different ways based on findings of preoperative pressure-flow study (PFS) and cystometry: urodynamic obstruction (determined by the Abrams-Griffiths nomogram), detrusor instability (DI), and combination of both. Outcomes of TUR-P regarding symptom, function, and quality of life (QOL) were analyzed by changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), maximum flow rate in uroflowmetry, and QOL index before and after TUR-P, respectively. Overall outcome was defined as success when all of the three categories showed successful improvement. RESULTS: Neither urodynamic obstruction alone nor DI alone predicted outcomes of TUR-P. However, symptomatic and overall outcomes were significantly worse in patients who were not obstructed but had DI. Postoperative persistent DI was more frequently noted in patients without clear obstruction (60%) than in those with obstruction (27%). Patients with equivocal obstruction showed less satisfactory symptomatic outcomes of TUR-P when DI was accompanied. Persistent DI might be the principle cause of unfavorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative evaluation of DI is of benefit because it enhances predictive value of the PFS.     

PPARgamma activation and adipocyte differentiation induced by AS-6, a prenyl-phenol antidiabetic antibiotic

The prenyl-phenol antibiotics ascochlorin-related compounds, are known to reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride, suppress hypertension, and ameliorate types-I and II diabetes. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism for these physiological effects. Here we report that the ascochlorin derivative, 4-O-carboxymethyl ascochlorin (AS-6) acts as a potent activator of the nuclear hormone receptor, PPARgamma, although it does not activate the related receptors, PPARalpha, PPARdelta or RARalpha. AS-6 interacts directly with the PPARgamma molecule in vitro, and induces differentiation of the mouse preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1. Our results suggest that AS-6 is a partial agonist for PPARgamma with a novel chemical structure.     

Pulmonary artery stenting for recurrent lung cancer after left pneumonectomy

We present a case of a patient with stenosis of the pulmonary artery which was successfully treated by implantation of a vascular endoprosthesis. A 50-year-old man underwent left pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Eleven months later, a computed tomographic scan revealed a soft tissue mass in the mediastinum and there was severe stenosis of the remaining right main pulmonary artery. A self-expandable vascular endoprosthesis was implanted in the stenotic portion. We used percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) during the procedure. We recommend the technique of pulmonary artery stenting using PCPS as efficacious and safe.