A Case of Aortic Strain due to Spring Back Force by Stent Graft 3 Years after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

A 79-year-old man underwent 1-debranched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for a saccular aneurysm of the distal arch of the aorta. Computed tomography performed 3 years after surgery revealed a significant displacement of the distal side of the stent graft and severe deformity due to displacement of the aorta. There were no obvious findings after aortic dissection. Endovascular treatment was selected, and surgery was performed semiemergency. Additional TEVAR was performed to restore the aortic shape and displacement to its normal position.

[Giant Left Ventricular Aneurysm After Double Patch Closure of Ventricular Septal Perforation Through Right Ventriculotomy].

A 66-year-old man. He had myocardial infarction due to occlusion of the left anterior descending branch, which was subsequently complicated by ventricular septal perforation. Ventricular septal perforation was repaired through right ventricle incision, applying double patches for closure, and injecting glue between the patches. The early postoperative course was good, but the infarcted left ventricular anterior wall remained because of the right ventriculotomy approach. A left ventricular aneurysm was demonstrated on postoperative follow-up echocardiography, which gradually enlarged to become giant. Since symptoms of heart failure such as respiratory distress appeared, left ventriculoplasty was performed 29 months after the perforation of the initial surgery. Since thinned left ventricular wall remains following right ventriculotomy approach, risk of postoperative left ventricular aneurysm should be taken into account.

Room-Temperature CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol over Air-Stable hcp-PdMo Intermetallic Catalyst.

CO2 hydrogenation to methanol is one of the most promising routes to CO2 utilization. However, difficulty in CO2 activation at low temperature, catalyst stability, catalyst preparation, and product separation are obstacles to the realization of a practical hydrogenation process under mild conditions. Here, we report a PdMo intermetallic catalyst for low-temperature CO2 hydrogenation. This catalyst can be synthesized by the facile ammonolysis of an oxide precursor and exhibits excellent stability in air and the reaction atmosphere and significantly enhances the catalytic activity for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol and CO compared with a Pd catalyst. A turnover frequency of 0.15 h-1 was achieved for methanol synthesis at 0.9 MPa and 25 °C, which is comparable to or higher than that of the state-of-the-art heterogeneous catalysts under higher-pressure conditions (4-5 MPa).

Electronic Promotion of Methanol Synthesis over Cu-Loaded ZnO-Based Catalysts.

Methanol, a raw material for C1 chemistry, is industrially produced under harsh conditions using Cu/ZnO-based catalysts. The synthesis of methanol under mild conditions is a challenging subject using an improved catalyst. Here, Zn1-xSixO (ZSO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a thermal plasma method, and their work function and carrier concentration could be tuned by the Zn:Si ratio. The electrically conductive ZSO nanoparticles with a low work function enhanced the donation of electrons to loaded Cu and significantly promoted hydrogenation of CO to methanol, whereas insulating ZSO nanoparticles with a similar low work function did not. These results reveal that efficient electronic promotion by the transfer of electrons from a support to loaded Cu plays a key role in low-temperature methanol synthesis.

Usefulness of a new DUV-LED device for the control of infection by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, mycobacteria and spore-forming bacteria.

Reliable disinfection and sterilization technologies are needed to deal with the various infectious diseases spreading around the world. Furthermore, bacteria that are difficult to eliminate by ordinary disinfection are also a problem in the medical environment. We examined the germicidal effect of a newly developed deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diode (DUV-LED) prototype device (wavelength of 280 ± 5 nm; power of 0.9 to 1.4 mW/cm2) for floor sterilization against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Mycobacterium gordonae (M. gordonae), and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). This prototype device is equipped with highly practical DUV-LEDs with a high output efficiency and a long life, and was designed with consideration of the irradiation distance and the angle of the DUV-LEDs to provide a uniform irradiation rate. We found a statistically significant reduction of ≥90% in the infectious titers of both E. coli and S. aureus after irradiation for 2 s. Although acid-fast bacilli and spore-type bacilli are generally thought to be resistant to UV light irradiation compared to general bacteria, the acid-fast bacillus M. gordonae was inactivated after irradiation for 10 s, and spore-type cells of the bacillus B. subtilis were inactivated by ≥90% after irradiation for 30 s. We also found that the effects were cumulative when irradiation was performed at intervals. In the future, the usefulness of this device as an infection control measure will be evaluated in daily medical practice.

Rapid inactivation of Dabie bandavirus (SFTSV) by irradiation with deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diode.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) caused by Dabie bandavirus (SFTSV) is a serious public health concern in endemic areas, particularly in Asian and Southeast Asian countries. SFTSV is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids from infected humans and animals. Therefore, environmental hygiene in hospitals and veterinary clinics in SFTSV-endemic areas is highly important. This study assessed the effects of continuous and intermittent irradiation with deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diode (DUV-LED) on SFTSV. Evaluation was performed by conducting plaque assay in which SFTSV irradiated with deep-ultraviolet (DUV; 280 ± 5 nm) was inoculated onto Vero cells. The results showed that continuous and intermittent irradiation for 5 s, resulting in 18.75 mJ/cm2 of cumulative UV exposure, led to a >2.7 and >2.9 log reduction, respectively, corresponding to a >99.8% reduction in infectivity. These results demonstrate that DUV can be utilized for inactivation of SFTSV to maintain environmental hygiene in hospitals and veterinary clinics in endemic countries.

Rapid Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Variants by Continuous and Intermittent Irradiation with a Deep-Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode (DUV-LED) Device.

More than 1 year has passed since social activities have been restricted due to the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). More recently, novel SARS-CoV-2 variants have been spreading around the world, and there is growing concern that they may have higher transmissibility and that the protective efficacy of vaccines may be weaker against them. Immediate measures are needed to reduce human exposure to the virus. In this study, the antiviral efficacy of deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diode (DUV-LED) irradiation (280 ± 5 nm, 3.75 mW/cm2) against three SARS-CoV-2 variants was evaluated. For the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variant strains, irradiation of the virus stocks for 1 s resulted in infectious titer reduction rates of 96.3%, 94.6%, and 91.9%, respectively, and with irradiation for 5 s, the rates increased to 99.9%, 99.9%, and 99.8%, respectively. We also tested the effect of pulsed DUV-LED irradiation (7.5 mW/cm2, duty rate: 50%, frequency: 1 kHz) under the same output conditions as for continuous irradiation and found that the antiviral efficacy of pulsed and continuous irradiation was the same. These findings suggest that by further developing and optimizing the DUV-LED device to increase its output, it may be possible to instantly inactivate SARS-CoV-2 with DUV-LED irradiation.

Rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 with deep-UV LED irradiation.

The spread of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections worldwide has raised concerns about the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2. Devices that rapidly inactivate viruses can reduce the chance of infection through aerosols and contact transmission. This in vitro study demonstrated that irradiation with a deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode (DUV-LED) of 280 ± 5 nm wavelength rapidly inactivates SARS-CoV-2 obtained from a COVID-19 patient. Development of devices equipped with DUV-LED is expected to prevent virus invasion through the air and after touching contaminated objects.

Right heart failure caused by direct pressure of distal arch aneurysm.

We report a rare case of right heart failure caused by distal aortic aneurysm. Although aortopulmonary fistula is a common complication of giant aortic arch aneurysm, right heart failure caused by mechanical pressure by aneurysm is very rare. A 79-year-old female patient presented dyspnea. Contrast computed tomography (CT) of the thorax delineated a 78 mm aortic arch aneurysm pressing the main to left pulmonary artery and a 40 mm pericardial effusion at maximum depth at posterior side. Echocardiography showed the acceleration flow from main to left pulmonary artery and moderate pulmonary hypertension. Left ventricular function, however, was preserved. We diagnosed right heart failure caused by giant aortic arch aneurysm and performed emergency aortic arch aneurysm replacement. After the operation, pulmonary artery pressure decreased and right heart failure improved.

[Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Via Internal Iliac Artery Conduit].

A 77-year-old man with a history of stent implantation in the right common iliac artery(CIA) and the left external iliac artery(EIA) was admitted to our hospital for a rapid growth of an aneurysm( max 53 mm) at Th11 level of the descending aorta. Although thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was required, there were many problems about access rout. The infrarenal abdominal aorta and the left EIA were severely calcified, and the lumens of the right CIA stent(5.3 mm) and the left EIA stent( 4.3 mm) were small in size. Besides, the left CIA was short(13 mm). Therefore, TEVAR was performed by retrograde approach from the left internal iliac artery( IIA) with a tube graft conduit in the hybrid operation room. IIA is a useful option for an access rout in endovascular aortic repair.

[Two-staged Hybrid Repair for Extensive Aortic Aneurysm;Report of a Case].

A 74-year-old woman progressed to extensive aortic aneurysm after 2 years and 6 months from onset of type B dissection. A computed tomography scan revealed aortic aneurysm from ascending aorta to Th12 level of descending aorta. Her appearance was very frailty. Therefore, we performed 2-staged hybrid repair for this case. First, surgical total arch replacement with elephant trunk via median sternotomy was performed. On the 47th days after the 1st operation, thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed. The spinal drainage was done for spinal cord protection. Postoperative course was uneventful without any complications. Considering a surgical stress, 2-staged hybrid repair using a stent graft was less-invasive than 1 staged graft replacement.

[Cor Triatriatum Diagnosed in Adulthood;Report of a Case].

A 64-years-old man had cor triatriatum (Lucas-Schmidt type I A) with severe mitral regurgitation and atrial fibrillation. We perfomed resection of the anomalous septum between the accessory chamber and left atrium, and conducted mitral annuloplasty and maze procedure. Arrhythmia were not encountered after surgery. The maze procedure and resection of the anomalous septum with mitral surgery proved to be effective for atrial fibrillation with cor triatriatum.

[Extended total arch replacement with coronary artery bypass grafting( CABG) via left thoracotomy;report of a case].

The operative procedure of extensive aortic aneurysm with ischemic coronary artery disease is controversial. We report a case of arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm replacement with coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)via left thoracotomy. A 70-year-old man followed up by hepatic disease was diagnosed with expanding aortic thoracic aneurysm at the other hospital. He had admission to our hospital for surgical intervention. Computed tomography(CT)revealed arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, and coronary arteriography (CAG) revealed #7 90% and #13 75% stenosis. We performed arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm replacement with CABG via left thoracotomy. Replaced synthetic graft and bypass grafts were patent on the postoperative CT. He was discharged at 15th postoperative day with no morbidity.

[Mitral valve repair for papillary muscle rupture; report of a case].

Papillary muscle rupture associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is well known, but it's incidence is rare. We report a case of mitral valve repair with artificial chordae for partial papillary muscle rupture after AMI. A 75-year-old man underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) for right coronary artery because of AMI about 2 months ago at another hospital, and suffered from dyspnea 1 week after PCI. He had emergency admission to our hospital for cardiac failure. Echo-cardiogram revealed severe mitral regurgitation due to posterior papillary muscle rupture. We performed mitral valve repair with neochorda implantation to left ventricular wall of papillary muscle rupture site and ring annuloplasty. Mitral regurgitation was well controlled on postoperative echo-cardiogram. He was discharged at 25th postoperative day with no morbidity.

[A case of drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia due to tegafur-uracil(UFT®)].

A 68-year-old female received a left lower lobectomy for lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, pT2N1M0, stage II B). She had a postoperative bronchial fistula that was treated conservatively and cured. Two months after the operation, tegafur-uracil (UFT) 300 mg/day was initiated.She felt dyspnea on exertion after taking UFT for two weeks, and some infiltration shadows were observed on a chest X-ray two weeks later. A chest CT scan revealed unsegmental infiltration shadows at the intermediate areas of the right middle and lower lobes, and an air-bronchogram was observed inside of the shadows. A bronchoscopy was performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a high fraction rate of eosinophil(24%), and a transbronchial lung biopsy revealed infiltrations of lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils into the intra-alveolar space. However, fibrosis of the alveolar wall was not observed. A drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test was performed for UFT, resulting positive. She was diagnosed as drug-induced eosinopilic pneumonia due to UFT. After she discontinued UFT and started 30 mg/day of prednisolone, dyspnea and infiltrations on chest X-ray disappeared.

Mapping a nucleolar targeting sequence of an RNA binding nucleolar protein, Nop25.

Nop25 is a putative RNA binding nucleolar protein associated with rRNA transcription. The present study was undertaken to determine the mechanism of Nop25 localization in the nucleolus. Deletion experiments of Nop25 amino acid sequence showed Nop25 to contain a nuclear targeting sequence in the N-terminal and a nucleolar targeting sequence in the C-terminal. By expressing derivative peptides from the C-terminal as GFP-fusion proteins in the cells, a lysine and arginine residue-enriched peptide (KRKHPRRAQDSTKKPPSATRTSKTQRRRR) allowed a GFP-fusion protein to be transported and fully retained in the nucleolus. When the peptide was fused with cMyc epitope and expressed in the cells, a cMyc epitope was then detected in the nucleolus. Nop25 did not localize in the nucleolus by deletion of the peptide from Nop25. Furthermore, deletion of a subdomain (KRKHPRRAQ) in the peptide or amino acid substitution of lysine and arginine residues in the subdomain resulted in the loss of Nop25 nucleolar localization. These results suggest that the lysine and arginine residue-enriched peptide is the most prominent nucleolar targeting sequence of Nop25 and that the long stretch of basic residues might play an important role in the nucleolar localization of Nop25. Although Nop25 contained putative SUMOylation, phosphorylation and glycosylation sites, the amino acid substitution in these sites had no effect on the nucleolar localization, thus suggesting that these post-translational modifications did not contribute to the localization of Nop25 in the nucleolus. The treatment of the cells, which expressed a GFP-fusion protein with a nucleolar targeting sequence of Nop25, with RNase A resulted in a complete dislocation of the protein from the nucleolus. These data suggested that the nucleolar targeting sequence might therefore play an important role in the binding of Nop25 to RNA molecules and that the RNA binding of Nop25 might be essential for the nucleolar localization of Nop25.

Molecular cloning and characterization of Nop25, a novel nucleolar RNA binding protein, highly conserved in vertebrate species.

We report here the identification and characterization of a novel nucleolar RNA binding protein, referred to as Nop25 as based on its predicted molecular size and subcellular location. Nop25 homologues were widely discovered in diverse vertebrate species as hypothetical proteins, but not found in yeasts, plants and prokaryotic organisms. Nop25 was ubiquitously expressed in adult mouse organs and constitutively during mouse embryogenesis. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis with an anti-Nop25 antibody, as well as an experiment using a GFP-fused protein, demonstrated that Nop25 was localized in the nucleolus. Treatment of the cells with a low doses of actinomycin D caused Nop25 to translocate to the periphery of the nucleolus, suggesting that nucleolar localization of Nop25 is associated with rRNA transcription. Treatment of COS7 cells with RNase A resulted in a complete dissociation of Nop25 from the nucleolus, while in vitro binding assay demonstrated that Nop25 could bind directly to single-stranded nucleic acids. Further characterization of associated RNA molecules with Nop25 using immunoprecipitation experiment showed that Nop25 might bind to 28S rRNA. Studies on this novel nucleolar RNA binding protein may provide new information on the intricate nucleolar machinery as related to the transcription and processing of rRNA molecules and/or the subsequent assembly and maturation of ribosomes.