Development of Microphalloides japonicus (Osborn, 1919) metacercariae in vitro (Trematoda: Microphallidae)

Metacercariae of the trematode Microphalloides japonicus (Osborn, 1919) were cultivated in various media to gravid adults, and the results were compared with those in vivo. A few eggs were produced in the uterus even in balanced salt solution, although cultivation in Eagle's MEM and NCTC 109 media was much better. Addition of heat-inactivated serum resulted in even better development. Encysted metacercariae also produced eggs in some media, but most of them were incomplete and without shells.

Phono-, echo-, and electro-cardiographic correlation in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, with special reference to the split pattern of second heart sound

Twenty-three cases with WPW syndrome were studied by means of phonocardiography, echocardiography, and electrocardiography. All cases showed the abnormal cardiac motion in echocardiography, which could be divided into 2 types; ventricular (V) type in which the posterior left ventricular wall showed the abnormal humps in the early and late systole (18 cases), and septal (S) type in which the abnormal hump was noted in the early systole in the interventricular septum (5 cases). The cases with V type echocardiogram showed either type A, B, or C, and those with S type either type B or C of ECG. All cases with V type had the splitting of second heart sound of a normal fashion and the IIA-IIP interval ranged from 0.015 to 0.08 sec with a mean of 0.0356+/-0.0157 sec. In contrast, those with S type showed either a reversed splitting of second heart sound (4 cases) or a single second heart sound (1 case), and the IIA-IIP interval ranged from 0 to--0.05 sec with a mean of --0.0250+/-0.0170 sec. No consistent relationship was noted between the ECG type and the split interval of second heart sound. There was the significant positive correlation between the IIA-IIP interval and the QRS duration in the cases with V type echocardiogram. In S type, these 2 parameters showed the significant negative correlation.

Prolongation of Q-I interval in atrial septal defect

The present paper is concerned with Q-I interval and factors affecting this interval in 55 patients with atrial septal defect of ostium secundum type (ASD) in comparison with the interval in 60 healthy individuals and 37 patients with mitral stenosis. The results obtained are as follows: 1) Q-I interval was significantly greater in patients with ASD than in healthy individuals, and less than in patients with mitral stenosis. 2) The Q-I interval in ASD showed significant correlations with size of septal defect and age, but no correlation with other variables such as heart rate, blood pressure, and right heart catheterization data. 3) The interval was significantly shortened following the surgical closure of ASD. These findings suggest that left-to-right shunt at atrial level leads to prolongation of Q-I interval. Mechanisms for these results were discussed.

A case of diffuse endomyocardial fibrosis of the right ventricle with persistent pericardial effusion

A case of 42-year-old female with persistent pericardial effusion and recurrent congestive heart failure was presented. The clinical course, laboratory and cardiac evaluations confirmed the existence of tricuspid incompetence and restrictive condition of the right ventricle. At autopsy, the right atrium and ventricle showed moderate hypertrophy, the left ventricle being almost completely spared macroscopically. Diffuse fibrous thickening of the right atrial and ventricular endomyocardium with mural thrombi, and mild lymphocytic infiltation were noted microscopically. These findings are compatible with endomyocardial fibrosis described by Davies. The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease were discussed.

The intimal healing of microvascular anastomoses

Examination with the S.E.M. shows that 5 days after surgery the microanastomoses area is covered with pseudointima, and the regeneration of the intima is completed within two weeks. Comparing the two different suture techniques (large bites and small bites), there are no differences between them in the resultant patency rates. The large bites produce less immediate leakages. There were no significant differences in the process of intimal healing.

Primary breast reconstruction after a standard radical mastectomy by a free flap transfer. Case report

We present a successful clinical case (perhaps the first) of primary reconstruction of the breast after radical mastectomy by use of a free skin-fat-muscle flap.

Free skin flap from the retroauricular region to the nose

We present two new, one-stage methods for resurfacing a part of the face-- (1) the microvascular transfer of a free retroauricular flap, and (2) an island flap from the galea covered by a full-thickness skin graft from the retroauricular region. Both procedures provided the same good color match, without leaving a readily visible donor scar.

Detection of small vessels for microsurgery by a Doppler flowmeter

The Doppler flowmeter saved time and helped us to quickly find the exact position of the donor and the recipient vessels in the microvascular transfer of a free deltopectoral flap to the face.