Right Atrial Calcified Ball Thrombus Mimicking a Myxoma

An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of congestive heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe aortic valve stenosis, and a mobile calcified mass was attached to the interatrial septum in the right atrium. We suspected that the mass was cardiac myxoma. We urgently performed aortic valve replacement and resection of the mass. The histological diagnosis of the mass was thrombus, and her post-operative course was uneventful. Although the mechanism of right atrial thrombus formation in our case was unclear, it is important to continue anticoagulation therapy after surgery to avoid recurrence. Furthermore, strict follow-up in this patient is needed.

Retrospective study for risk factors for febrile UTI in spinal cord injury patients with routine concomitant intermittent catheterization in outpatient settings

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical risk factors for febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in spinal cord injury-associated neurogenic bladder (NB) patients who perform routine clean intermittent catheterization (CIC).

SETTING

Rehabilitation Hospital, Kobe, Japan.

METHODS

Over a 3-year period, we retrospectively assessed the clinical risk factors for febrile UTI in 259 spinal cord injury patients diagnosed as NB and performing routine CIC with regard to the factors such as gender, the presence of pyuria and bacteriuria, and the categories of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale.

RESULTS

A total of 67 patients had febrile UTI in the follow-up period, with 57 cases of pyelonephritis, 11 cases of epididymitis and 2 cases of prostatitis, including the patients with plural infectious diseases. The causative bacteria were ranked as follows: Escherichia coli (74 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17 cases), Enterococcus faecalis (14 cases) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12 cases). Antibiotic-resistant E. coli were seen, with 10.5% instances of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production and 23.8% of fluoroquinolone resistance. Multivariate analyses of clinical risk factors for febrile UTI showed that gender (male, P=0.0431), and ASIA impairment scale C or more severe (P=0.0266) were significantly associated with febrile UTI occurrence in NB patients with routine CIC.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated gender (male) and ASIA impairment scale C or more severe were significantly associated with febrile UTI occurrence in NB patients using routine CIC. Further prospective studies are necessary to define the full spectrum of possible risk factors for febrile UTI in these patients.

Cartilage Degeneration and Alignment in Severe Varus Knee Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between cartilage, ligament, and meniscus degeneration and radiographic alignment in severe varus knee osteoarthritis in order to understand the development of varus knee osteoarthritis.

DESIGN

Fifty-three patients (71 knees) with primary varus knee osteoarthritis and who underwent total knee arthroplasty were selected for this study. There were 6 men and 47 women, with 40 right knees and 31 left knees studied; their mean age at operation was 73.5 years. The ligament, meniscus, degeneration of joint cartilage, and radiographic alignments were examined visually.

RESULTS

The tibial plateau-tibial shaft angle was larger if the condition of the cartilage in the lateral femoral condyle was worse. The femorotibial angle and tibial plateau-tibial shaft angle were larger if the conditions of the lateral meniscus or the cartilage in the lateral tibial plateau were worse.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this study, progression of varus knee osteoarthritis may occur in the following manner: medial knee osteoarthritis starts in the central portion of the medial tibial plateau, and accompanied by medial meniscal extrusion and anterior cruciate ligament rupture, cartilage degeneration expands from the anterior to the posterior in the medial tibial plateau. Bone attrition occurs in the medial tibial plateau, and the femoro-tibial angle and tibial plateau-tibial shaft angle increase. Therefore, the lateral intercondylar eminence injures the cartilage of the lateral femoral condyle in the longitudinal fissure type. Thereafter, the cartilage degeneration expands in the whole of the knee joints.

Single-Stage Repair of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm through a Median Sternotomy in a Patient with Pseudocoarctation of the Aorta and Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis

Pseudocoarctation of the aorta is a rare anomaly and considered a benign condition. Pseudocoarctation of the aorta has been associated with aneurysm formation in the thoracic aorta, which may cause sudden rupture or dissection. Thus, the presence of an aneurysm in combination with pseudocoarctation of the aorta is thought to be an indication for surgery. We present a case of pseudocoarctation of the aorta associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm and severe aortic valve stenosis with a bicuspid aortic valve. In our case, single-stage repair was performed through a median sternotomy using our "pleural-window approach."

ELAS1-mediated inhibition of the cyclin G1-B'γ interaction promotes cancer cell apoptosis via stabilization and activation of p53

Radiation therapy (RT) is useful for selectively killing cancer cells. However, because high levels of ionizing radiation (IR) are toxic to normal cells, RT cannot be applied repeatedly to cancer patients. Therefore, novel chemicals that enhance the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) would be valuable. Here, we report that ELAS1, a peptide corresponding to the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) association domain of cyclin G1 (CycG1), can enhance the efficacy of CRT. ELAS1 interacts with the PP2A B'γ-subunit and competitively inhibits association with CycG1, thereby preventing the PP2A holoenzyme from dephosphorylating target proteins, Mdm2 (pT218) and p53 (pS46), following DNA double-strand break (DSB) insults. Doxycycline (Dox)-induced overexpression of Myc-ELAS1 caused γ-irradiation to induce apoptosis in human osteosarcoma (U2OS) cells, at 1/10th the effective dosage of γ-irradiation required for apoptosis in Myc-vector-expressing cells; ELAS1 peptide incorporation into U2OS cells also showed similar apoptotic effects. Moreover, administration of DSB-inducing chemicals, camptothecin (CPT) or irinotecan, to Myc-ELAS1-expressing U2OS cells also induced efficient apoptosis with only 1/100th (CPT) or 1/5th (irinotecan) of the amounts of drugs required for this effect in Myc-vector-expressing cells. Taken together, ELAS1 may be important for the design of ELAS1-mimetic compounds to improve CRT efficacy.

Ascending aortic false aneurysm formation associated with rupture of acute type a aortic dissection

A 63-year-old man with ruptured acute type A aortic dissection was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography showed a false aneurysm arising from the false lumen located beside the ascending aorta. His hemodynamic status was stable inspite of the ruptured acute aortic dissection. We consider that the containment of the false aneurysm by thin mediastinal structures prevented worsening of his hemodynamic status, and this is extremely rare.

[Papillary fibroelastoma of the left ventricular outflow tract complicated with acute coronary syndrome; report of a case]

We experienced a case of papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) that was incidentally diagnosed along with acute coronary syndrome( ACS). An 83-year-old female with paralysis of the left leg was diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome(ACS) based on an increased level of cardiac troponin I and ST elevation in the chest lead on electrocardiogram(ECG). On an echocardiogram, the patient was found to have a mobile mass that was likely to be a cardiac tumor. Coronary angiography showed 99% stenosis in the middle left anterior descending coronary artery. We performed emergent coronary aortic bypass graft(CABG) and excision of the tumor. The tumor was attached to the left ventricular outflow tract wall beneath the right coronary cusp with a sea anemone appearance. The histopathological findings revealed a papillary fibroelastoma. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful.

[A new method for reversed bevel technique using single-branched graft in hemi-arch replacement]

We describe a reversed bevel technique in hemi-arch replacement with a single-branched graft that enables long elliptical distal anastomosis and easier proximal anastomosis under antegrade systemic perfusion. If the distance between the clamped graft and the proximal aorta is too short, it becomes challenging to perform the anastomosis by everting the end of the graft. Because we clamp the graft at the most distal site, the side branch ends up being located at the beveled graft site.This method ensures sufficient surgical view during proximal anastomosis.

Short-term effects of highly-bioavailable curcumin for treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective study

BACKGROUND

We previously developed a surface-controlled water-dispersible form of curcumin and named it Theracurmin(®) (Theracurmin; Theravalues, Tokyo, Japan). The area under the blood concentration-time curve of Theracurmin in humans was 27-fold higher than that of curcumin powder. We determined the clinical effects of orally administered Theracurmin in patients with knee osteoarthritis during 8 weeks of treatment.

METHODS

Fifty patients with knee osteoarthritis of Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III and who were aged more than 40 years were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical study. Placebo or Theracurmin containing 180 mg/day of curcumin was administered orally every day for 8 weeks. To monitor adverse events, blood biochemistry analyses were performed before and after 8 weeks of each intervention. The patients' knee symptoms were evaluated at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks by the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure, the knee pain visual analog scale (VAS), the knee scoring system of the Japanese Orthopedic Association, and the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

RESULTS

At 8 weeks after treatment initiation, knee pain VAS scores were significantly lower in the Theracurmin group than in the placebo group, except in the patients with initial VAS scores of 0.15 or less. Theracurmin lowered the celecoxib dependence significantly more than placebo. No major side effects were observed with Theracurmin treatment.

CONCLUSION

Theracurmin shows modest potential for the treatment of human knee osteoarthritis.

Successful Ascending Aorta-Abdominal Aorta Bypass Graft through the Left Thoracic Cavity in a Patient with Atypical Coarctation

A 67-year-old woman admitted with severe hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and dyspnea was found to have hypertension and congestive heart failure due to stenosis of the descending aorta. Atypical aortic coarctation was diagnosed. Extra-anatomical bypass was performed from the ascending aorta to the terminal abdominal aorta and the pulmonary vein was isolated. The graft was arranged to pass through the left thoracic cavity from the pericardium via a transretroperitoneal approach to the terminal abdominal aorta. Direct contact was avoided between the graft and the abdominal organs, and the pressure gradient between the ascending aorta and the abdominal aorta was decreased.

Rupture and bleeding secondary to renal infarction in a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm

A 57-year-old man had been followed up for severe left ventricular dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction with a left ventricular thrombus. He had been treated with anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy and was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal pain and shock. He had no prior episode of trauma. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed no changes compared with the previous ECG. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a retroperitoneal hematoma around an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and the right kidney. We suspected rupture of AAA or the right kidney, and we performed AAA replacement with a Y-shaped graft and nephrectomy of the right kidney. Pathological examination revealed hemorrhagic infarction of the lower part of the right kidney, with hemorrhage and rupture at the center of the infarct. In our case, enhanced CT showed extravasation from the lower part of the right kidney. In addition, postoperative echocardiography showed that the left ventricular thrombus had disappeared. We report a case of rupture and bleeding secondary to renal infarction in a patient with an AAA.

Detailed features of palisade vessels as a marker of the esophageal mucosa revealed by magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging

The palisade vessels present at the distal end of the esophagus are considered to be a landmark of the esophagogastric junction and indispensable for diagnosis of columnar-lined esophagus on the basis of the Japanese criteria. Here we clarified the features of normal palisade vessels at the esophagogastric junction using magnifying endoscopy. We prospectively studied palisade vessels in 15 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using a GIF-H260Z instrument (Olympus Medical Systems Co., Tokyo, Japan). All views of the palisade vessels were obtained at the maximum magnification power in the narrow band imaging mode. We divided the area in which palisade vessels were present into three sections: the area from the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) to about 1 cm orad within the esophagus (Section 1); the area between sections 1 and 3 (Section 2); and the area from the upper limit of the palisade vessels to about 1 cm distal within the esophagus (Section 3). In each section, we analyzed the vessel density, caliber of the palisade vessels, and their branching pattern. The vessel density in Sections 1, 2, and 3 was 9.1 ± 2.1, 8.0 ± 2.6, and 3.3 ± 1.3 per high-power field (mean ± standard deviation [SD]), respectively, and the differences were significant between Sections 1 and 2 (P= 0.0086) and between Sections 2 and 3 (P < 0.0001). The palisade vessel caliber in Sections 1, 2, and 3 was 127.6 ± 52.4 µm, 149.6 ± 58.6 µm, and 199.5 ± 75.1 µm (mean ± SD), respectively, and the differences between Sections 1 and 2, and between Sections 2 and 3, were significant (P < 0.0001). With regard to branching form, the frequency of branching was highest in Section 1, and the 'normal Y' shape was observed more frequently than in Sections 2 and 3. Toward the oral side, the frequency of branching diminished, and the frequency of the 'upside down Y' shape increased. The differences in branching form were significant among the three sections (P < 0.0001). These results indicate that the density of palisade vessels is highest near the SCJ, and that towards their upper limit they gradually become more confluent and show an increase of thickness. Within a limited area near the SCJ, observations of branching form suggest that palisade vessels merge abruptly on the distal side. We have demonstrated that palisade vessels are a useful marker for endoscopic recognition of the lower esophagus.

Incidental single coronary artery in an octogenarian with acute type A aortic dissection

Single coronary artery (SCA) in the absence of other major congenital cardiovascular anomalies is rare. We report an extremely rare case of acute aortic dissection in an octogenarian who had a single left coronary artery with the right coronary artery originating from the distal circumflex. A single ostium was incidentally detected by visual inspection during an operation. We diagnosed the anomaly in detail by postoperative 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography. As we performed an emergency operation, it was difficult to recognize SCA preoperatively. In this situation, it is very important to establish adequate myocardial protection and careful dissection is necessary to avoid iatrogenic injury.

An alternative method for reconstructing the distal aortic arch through median sternotomy via the pleural window

We describe an alternative technique through median sternotomy to perform total arch replacement for an extended distal arch aneurysm. After initiating cardiopulmonary bypass, the left pleura is opened widely from the aortic arch to the diaphragm and the left lung is mobilized to the right side with the heart. The descending aorta is visible through the window of the pleural incision. This technique provides excellent exposure, facilitating aneurysm resection, control of the descending aorta and successful completion of the distal anastomosis. In our experience of 26 cases who had distal aortic arch aneurysm with downstream extension, total arch replacement was achieved through a median sternotomy without the need for left anterolateral thoracotomy. This procedure reduced perioperative bleeding and resulted in satisfactory clinical outcomes.

[Mitral valve replacement and papillary muscle approximation after ineffective cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient with adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy]

We report a case of adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy with severe functional mitral regurgitation and congestive heart failure (CHF). Mitral valve replacement (MVR) and papillary muscle approximation (PMA) were effective for this case. A 68-year-old man had adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy and had required repetitive hospitalizations for CHF for the past 10 years. He also required additional CHF hospitalizations after implantation of a device to perform cardiac resynchronization therapy. His echocardiogram showed severe mitral regurgitation and reduced left ventricular function. We performed MVR and PMA for his functional mitral regurgitation. We preserved the tendinous cords of the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve. His echocardiogram showed improved left ventricular systolic function and reduced left ventricular volume. He has made satisfactory progress after the operation and he has not required further hospitalizations for CHF. MVR with preservation of bilateral tendinous cords and PMA are very effective procedures for functional mitral regurgitation and intractable cardiomyopathy.

[Surgical treatment with the rifampicin-soaked vascular prosthesis for mycotic pseudoaneurysm after aortic root replacement]

A 59-year-old man had undergone aortic root replacement for annuloaortic ectasia (AAE) and aortic regurgitation (AR) 18 years before. The computed tomography (CT) showed a pseudoaneurysm of ascending aorta 4 years after the 1st operation. Re-aortic root replacement was done 15 years after the 1st operation because of the pseudoaneurysm. However, 3 years after the 2nd operation, the patient suffered from fever and another pseudoaneurysm was revealed by CT. Echocardiography showed a vegetation attached to the aortic valve. The 3rd operation was successfully performed using rifampicin-soaked vascular prosthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful. Thus, graft infection was effectively treated with a rifampicin-soaked vascular prosthesis.

[Aortic valve replacement using the "no-touch technique" for a patent internal thoracic artery]

Myocardial protection in the setting of patent grafts is often challenging in patients who have undergone prior myocardial revascularization and require a 2nd operation for aortic valve replacement (AVR). We report a case of AVR in a patient who had undergone prior coronary bypass grafting. The patent left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft was not dissected to avoid graft injury. Systemic hypothermia was maintained at 28 degrees C. After the ascending aorta was clamped, retrograde coronary sinus perfusion was performed. During AVR, myocardial protection was obtained by continuous systemic hypothermic perfusion of the patent LITA graft and intermittent retrograde coronary sinus perfusion. Weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass was not difficult. The patient's postoperative course was satisfactory.

Optical high-power nonlinearity comparison between the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Metrology Institute of Japan at 1480 nm

We compare the results of measurements of the nonlinearity of high-power optical fiber powermeters (OFPMs) by two national metrology institutes (NMIs): the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-USA) and the National Metrology Institute of Japan/National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST-Japan) at a wavelength of 1480 nm. The nonlinearity and range discontinuity of a commercial OFPM were measured from 1 mW to 500 mW by use of a superposition method (both laboratories) and from 1 mW to 250 mW by use of a comparison method (NMIJ only). Measurement results showed largest differences of less than 1.6 parts in 10(3), which is within the combined expanded (k = 2) uncertainty for both laboratories.