ABSTRACT
The inactivation efficiencies of microorganisms were found to be enhanced by using silver solution together with ultraviolet light (UV-A, 395 nm) irradiation. The inactivation efficiencies were improved remarkably especially in eukaryotic microorganism. To make clear the inactivation mechanism of microorganisms by the combination effect of silver and ultraviolet light irradiation, the resultant solution was characterized by ESR (Electron spin resonance, ESR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the methnd for measuring enzyme activity of mitochondria for eukarvotic cells were used to conjecture the mechanism, by analysis of the morphological and physiologic changes in eukaryotic cells. It is proposed that silver oxide (Ag20) can be activated by ultraviolet light irradiation and react with water molecules to produce hydroxyl radical (.OH). Hydroxyl radical could damage cell wall of eukaryotic microorganisms, and inactivate the enzyme activity of mitochondria of eukaryotic microorganism cells. Accordingly, eukaryotic microorganism cells would die. In the experiment, Staphylococcus aureus was employed as the representative of prokaryotic microorganisms, and Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes as the representative of eukaryotic microorganisms, respectively. Moreover, the results of the technology applied to washing machine were presented and discussed.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Pharmacology , Candida albicans , Radiation Effects , Disinfection , Methods , Household Articles , Silver , Pharmacology , Staphylococcus aureus , Radiation Effects , Trichophyton , Radiation Effects , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital with dyspnea on effort, recurrent attacks of loss of consciousness and abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film. Computed tomographic scan confirmed a 1.5×2.0cm mass with slight spiculation in the right lower lobe (S6) and revealed an ovoid right atrial mass. Transthoracic echocardiography showed that the giant mass which filled most of the right atrium had no mobility. Coronary angiography revealed clusters of new vessels which originated from the atrial branches of the circumflex coronary artery. A T1-weighted MRI scan demonstrated that the mass was isointense relative to the adjacent myocardium. We considered that performing cardiac surgery prior to pulmonary resection, as in a staged procedure, would have advantages in morbidity. We first performed removal of the right atrial tumor which was a 6.8×5.5×4.5cm shiny mass attached to the interatrial septum. Histological examination of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma. Three months later, right S<sup>6</sup> segmentectomy was carried out using thoracoscopy and the tumor was finally diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. We have followed the patient for about 10 months after the first operation and there is no evidence of tumor recurrence and no more syncopic attacks.
ABSTRACT
A 75-year-old woman presented with chest pain on exertion. Cardiac catheterization revealed double vessel coronary artery disease. Echocardiographic examination showed the presence of an abnormal mass in the interatrial septum without any flow velocity signal within the mass. She was scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting. The lesion appeared as a homogeneous mass on CT scan, with an attenuation coefficient of -122 Hounsfield units, suggestive of lipoma. A T1-weighted MRI scan demonstrated that the signal intensity of the interatrial mass corresponded to that of fatty tissue. On surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass a large mass was found to involve the right atrial wall, the interatrial sulcus and the interatrial septum. The mass could not be resected completely, because it adhered strongly to the septal myocardium. On histological examination, the tumor was composed of mature fatty tissues, was not encapsulated and was diagnosed as infiltrating lipoma. The postoperative course was uneventful. CT, MR imaging and color Doppler ultrasonography were very useful in making a tissue-specific diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
A 77-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented with acute onset of pain and swelling of the right thigh. Physical examination showed a pulsatile mass in the mid-portion of the right thigh. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a 7-cm diameter aneurysm at superficial femoral artery with gas shadow around the aneurysmal wall. A diagnosis of infected superficial femoral aneurysm was made and emergency surgery was undertaken. The total resection of the aneurysmal wall, debridement of necrotic tissues including part of sartorius and quadriceps muscles were done. Femoro-popliteal bypass through subcutaneous route using a 6-mm diameter Dacron prosthesis was used as the mean of vascular reconstruction procedure. <i>Citrobacter koseri</i> was cultured from the infected aneurysmal wall. The antibiotic treatment was continued for total of 2 weeks. Although additional debridement was required, the patient was amkulabony when discharged on the 37th postoperative day.
ABSTRACT
A 16-year-old schoolgirl had aortic valve insufficiency, detected incidentally on electrocardiogram taken for a physical checkup. She was noted to have hyperextensibility of joints, hyperelasticity of the skin and an atrophic scar over the knees on physical examination and type II Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) was diagnosed by skin biopsy after admission. A Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis was chosen for aortic valve replacement because she was of childbearing age and had EDS. Seven years after the replacement she became pregnant, resulting in spontaneous vaginal delivery of a healthy male infant at 39 weeks. However, a second aortic valve replacement was staged for structural failure of the bioprosthesis which was accelerated during the gestation. Aortic valve re-replacement was carried out using a 21-mm Sorin Bicarbon mechanical prosthesis 4 months after the delivery. She was discharged on the 10th postoperative day without any complications.
ABSTRACT
A semicomatose 53-year-old woman who had been injured in an automobile accident was admitted. Injury to the thoracic descending aorta was suspected because of widening of the upper mediastinum on a chest X-ray film and confirmed by chest contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). We postponed surgical treatment because brain CT showed traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. She was maintained in an intensive care unit and had pharmacological treatment and medical support. Two days later, brain CT showed that the intracerebral hematoma was a stable and inactive lesion, so she underwent aortic repair 3 days after the accident. Left thoracotomy was performed and an artificial vascular prosthesis was interposed under hypothermic circulatory arrest (open proximal method). The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 44 days after the operation. Hypothermic circulatory arrest may be a valuable adjunct for traumatic injury of the thoracic aorta at risk for impending rupture.