Plant-plant communication in Camellia japonica and C. rusticana via volatiles.

Plants emit volatile compounds when they are subjected to herbivorous, pathogenic, or artificial damages. Both the damaged plant and the neighboring intact plants induce resistance when they receive these volatiles, a phenomenon known as plant-plant communication. However, field observations of this phenomenon are limited. To understand the nature of plant-plant communication, we collected information about intra- and inter-plant signaling via volatiles in Camellia japonica and C. rusticana under natural conditions. We exposed intact branches of damaged plant (intra-plant) or neighboring plant (inter-plant) to artificially damaged plant volatiles (ADPVs). Leaf damage reduced in ADPVs-exposed branches in the neighboring plants compared to branches that were exposed to volatiles from intact leaves, thus, indicating that inter-plant signaling occur by the emission of volatiles from damaged leaves. We also conducted an air-transfer experiment wherein the headspace air of the damaged branch was transferred to the headspace of intact branches. Leaf damage reduced on the ADPVs-transferred branch compared to the control branch. The effect of volatiles on damage reduction lasted for three months. Our results indicate that ADPVs in Camellia species contain cues that induce resistance in neighboring plants. Our findings improve understanding of plant defense strategies that may be used in horticulture and agriculture.

Fecal Occult Blood Screening before Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Concerns of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding after cardiac surgery are increasing with increased use of antiplatelets and anticoagulants. We investigated the roles of preoperative screening for fecal occult blood by fecal immunochemical test (FIT) widely used to detect GI bleeding and cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review was done in 1,663 consecutive patients undergoing FIT before cardiac surgery between years 2012 and 2020. One or two rounds of FIT were performed 2 to 3 weeks before surgery, when antiplatelets and anticoagulants were not suspended yet. RESULTS: Positive FIT (> 30 µg of hemoglobin/g of feces) was observed in 227 patients (13.7%). Preoperative risk factors for positive FIT included age > 70 years, anticoagulants, and chronic kidney disease. Of those with positive FIT, 180 patients (79%) received preoperative endoscopy, including gastroscopy (n = 139), colonoscopy (n = 9), and both (n = 32), with no findings of bleeding. The most common finding of gastroscopy was atrophic gastritis (36%) while early gastric cancer was detected in 2 patients. The most common finding of colonoscopy was colon polyps (42%) while colorectal cancer was detected in 5 patients. Of 180 FIT-positive patients receiving endoscopy, 8 (4.4%) underwent preoperative GI treatment, while postoperative GI events were documented in 28 (15.6%). Of 1,436 with negative FIT, 21 (1.5%) presented GI complications after surgery. CONCLUSION: Preoperative FIT, which is influenced by anticoagulant use, has little impacts on identification of GI bleeding sites. However, it may be useful to detect GI malignant lesions, potentially impacting operative risks, surgical strategies, and postoperative management.

Flow characteristics of in-situ internal thoracic artery graft with competitive flow.

We report flow characteristics of an in-situ internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft with angiographically competitive flow to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), based upon intraoperative transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) during coronary artery bypass grafting with aortic valve replacement (AVR) and during re-AVR seven years later. Although intraoperative TTFM of the graft showed lower mean flow and higher pulsatility index, suggesting inadequate anastomosis, fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of TTFM waveforms presented gradual waning of the amplitude, as shown in patent grafts. FFT analysis of the TTFM waveforms is helpful to judge the patency of LITA to LAD, even with competitive flow. Learning objective: The internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft to left anterior descending artery (LAD) with angiographically competitive flow shows gradual waning of the amplitude on fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of the transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) waveforms, although lower mean graft flow, higher pulsatility index, and higher systolic reversal flow may suggest inadequate anastomosis. FFT analysis of the TTFM waveforms is useful to judge the patency of LITA to LAD, even with competitive flow.

Effects of Fractional Flow Reserve on Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Flow to Left Anterior Descending Artery.

BACKGROUND: The relationships between preoperative fractional flow reserve (FFR) values of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), FFRLAD, and intraoperative transit time flow measurement (TTFM) variables in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remain unclear.Methods and Results: We retrospectively collected data for 74 in situ left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts and 27 saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) to the LAD that were shown to be patent on postoperative angiography. Spearman correlation coefficients were determined between FFRLADand TTFM parameters of the LITA graft, as follows: maximum flow (Qmax), -0.22 (P=0.077); minimum flow (Qmin), -0.40 (P=0.014); mean flow (Qm), -0.35 (P=0.039); pulsatility index (PI), 0.33 (P=0.008); diastolic filling (DF): 0.01 (P=0.83); and systolic reverse flow (SRF), 0.37 (P=0.002). Spearman correlation coefficients between FFRLADand TTFM parameters of the SVG to LAD were: Qmax, -0.65 (P=0.004); Qmin, -0.43 (P=0.044); Qm, -0.75 (P=0.001); PI, 0.53 (P=0.033); DF, 0.14 (P=0.48); and SRF, 0.61 (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Both LITA grafts and SVGs to the LAD show negative correlations for FFRLADwith Qminand Qm, but positive correlations for FFRLADwith PI and SFR. These relationships between FFRLADand TTFM variables of CABG grafts to the LAD should be recognized.

The exposure of field-grown maize seedlings to weed volatiles affects their growth and seed quality.

Plants exposed to volatiles emitted from artificially damaged conspecific or heterospecific plants exhibit increased resistance to herbivorous insects. Here, we examined whether volatiles from artificially damaged weeds affect maize growth and reproduction. Seven days after germination, maize seedlings were exposed to volatiles emitted by artificially damaged mugwort (Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii) or tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) plants either separately, or as a mixture of the two, for seven days. Unexposed seedlings were used as controls. Treated and control seedlings were cultivated in an experimental field without any insecticides applied. Plants exposed to either of the three volatile treatments sustained significantly less damage than controls. Additionally, seedlings exposed to either goldenrod or mixed volatiles produced more leaves and tillers than control plants. Furthermore, a significant increase in the number of ears was observed in plants exposed to the volatile mixture. In all treated plants, ear sugar content was significantly higher than that in the controls. Further, we cultivated seedlings that were either exposed to the volatile mixture or unexposed, under the conventional farming method using pesticides. Similar significant differences were observed for sugar content, number of tillers, leaves, damaged leaves, and ears. Laboratory experiments were conducted to further evaluate the mechanisms involved in the improved performance of volatile-treated plants. A significant reduction in the growth of common armyworm (Mythimna separata) larvae was observed when maize plants were exposed to the volatile mixture. This treatment did not affect the amount of jasmonic acid in the seedlings, whereas salicylic acid content increased upon exposure. The characteristic differences in chemical composition of mugwort and goldenrod volatiles were confirmed and, in turn, the volatile mixture differed significantly from the volatiles of either species.

Perceived Difficulties and Learning Needs Among Acute Care Ward Nurses Providing End-of-Life Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparison by Years of Clinical Experience.

Background: In the daily routine of acute care wards, where priority is given to patients with severe illnesses and those who require urgent care, working with and supporting the decision making of terminally ill patients can be challenging. Methods: This study aimed to clarify the perceived difficulties of and learning needs among acute care ward nurses providing end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to perform analyses by years of clinical experience, we conducted semi-structured interviews with both novice and experienced nurses. Participants were nurses working in the acute care ward of hospitals in the Kansai area. Results: We interviewed 31 nurses who agreed to cooperate, including 18 novice/advanced beginner nurses and 13 proficient/expert nurses. Perceived difficulties were categorized into four main groups for novice/advanced beginner nurses: , , , and . Perceived difficulties were categorized into four main groups for proficient/expert nurses: , , , and . Perceived learning needs were categorized into three main groups for novice/advanced beginner nurses: , , and . Perceived learning needs were categorized into three main groups for proficient/expert nurses: , , and . Conclusion: Novice/advanced beginner nurses felt anxiety and confusion, and were overwhelmed with how to care for terminal patients. Proficient/expert nurses were able to think about how to make patients and their families feel better, and were able to think specifically about post-mortem care. Many proficient/expert nurses were thinking not only about patient care but also about patients' room environment and how to spend time with their families. They sought learning opportunities regarding angel care, including methods of teaching it and basic techniques for performing it, and realized that information sharing within wards, chain of command within the hospital, information exchange with other hospitals, and inter-hospital collaboration were all important during COVID-19 pandemic.

Mid-term results of distal anastomosis to the true lumen for chronic type B aortic dissection.

We investigated whether distal anastomosis to the true lumen in open surgical repair of descending aorta for chronic type B aortic dissection improved the long-term outcomes with aortic remodeling. We retrospectively reviewed 71 patients with chronic type B aortic dissection, excluding those with connective tissue disorder, from October 2001 to June 2021. The patients who underwent distal true lumen anastomosis (group T, n = 36) were compared to those with both lumens' anastomosis (group B, n = 35), regarding survival, overall and distal aortic events. The growth rates of the distal aorta (maximum diameter in descending thoracic, suprarenal and infrarenal abdominal aorta) were also investigated. Median age was significantly higher in group T (T; 66 vs B; 60, P = .001). Group T had significantly higher rates of complete and partial thrombosis formation in the false lumen than group B postoperatively (26.9 vs 0%, P = .01 for complete, 65.4 vs 3.9%, P < .0001 for partial, respectively). At median follow-up for 6.8 years of 63 patients (88.7%), survival, overall and distal aortic event-free rates, and the growth rates of the distal aorta were not significantly different between the groups. Distal anastomosis to the true lumen did not improve mid-term survival, aortic event-free rates and the growth rates of the distal aorta compared with that of both lumens for chronic type B aortic dissection.

Foreign early career academics' well-being profiles at workplaces in Japan: a person-oriented approach.

The well-being of foreign early career academics (FECAs) has been the subject of research attention in relation to present demanding academic milieux in general and to those unfamiliar workplace settings in particular. A traditional variable-oriented approach that focuses on mean scores can easily gloss over the diverse nature of the group under study. Our study, conducted in Japan, took a person-oriented approach and identified FECAs' distinct well-being profiles and the associations of their personal attributes with the profiles. Most (64%) were classified as having the highest stress scores and moderate scores for sense of belonging, control of workload and career development engagement. The second-largest profile (29%) included FECAs characterised by the lowest stress score and a strong sense of belonging, control of workload and career development engagement. Those in the smallest profile (8%), who had moderate levels of workload control and stress, lacked a sufficient sense of belonging and career development engagement. Among FECAs' personal attributes, contract type was significantly associated with their distribution across the three well-being profiles, whereas no attributes of FECAs' unique nature significantly pertained to their distribution. Our results suggested that support for well-being may be important regardless of background. Our investigation, using multifaceted well-being subscales over a composite scale, offers analytical, strategic support for academics in globalised higher education.

Early Sternal Bone Healing after Thermoreactive Nitinol Flexigrip Sternal Closure.

PURPOSE: Thermoreactive nitinol Flexigrip has been developed to ensure better fixation than conventional wire closure. To verify the advantage of Flexigrip over the conventional wiring, we compared early sternal bone healing on computed tomography (CT). METHODS: A prospective cohort study enrolled the first consecutive 80 patients with wiring and the second consecutive 44 patients undergoing Flexigrip sternal closure. The primary endpoint was sternal healing evaluated quantitatively using a 6-point scale and measured gaps/offsets of the sternal halves at 6 levels on CT scans on the 14th postoperative day. Secondary endpoints included pain scores and sternal complications 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: Compared with the patients of wiring, those who received Flexigrips showed higher 6-point scores at most sternum levels, less frequent gaps (52% vs 70%, p = 0.04), lower offsets (3.3 ± 0.9 mm vs 4.3 ± 0.7 mm, p <0.001) at the manubrium, and less frequent gaps (25% vs 43%, p = 0.04) and offsets (2.3% vs 24%, p = 0.002) at the middle of sternum. The pain scores and sternal complication rates were similar between both groups. CONCLUSION: CT evaluation 2 weeks after surgery revealed that Flexigrip sternal closure showed less gaps and offsets of the sternal halves, suggesting faster sternal bone union when compared to the wiring.

Validation of pencil beam scanning proton therapy with multi-leaf collimator calculated by a commercial Monte Carlo dose engine.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical beam commissioning results and lateral penumbra characteristics of our new pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy using a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) calculated by use of a commercial Monte Carlo dose engine. Eighteen collimated uniform dose plans for cubic targets were optimized by the RayStation 9A treatment planning system (TPS), varying scan area, modulation widths, measurement depths, and collimator angles. To test the patient-specific measurements, we also created and verified five clinically realistic PBS plans with the MLC, such as the liver, prostate, base-of-skull, C-shape, and head-and-neck. The verification measurements consist of the depth dose (DD), lateral profile (LP), and absolute dose (AD). We compared the LPs and ADs between the calculation and measurements. For the cubic plans, the gamma index pass rates (γ-passing) were on average 96.5% ± 4.0% at 3%/3 mm for the DD and 95.2% ± 7.6% at 2%/2 mm for the LP. In several LP measurements less than 75 mm depths, the γ-passing deteriorated (increased the measured doses) by less than 90% with the scattering such as the MLC edge and range shifter. The deteriorated γ-passing was satisfied by more than 90% at 2%/2 mm using uncollimated beams instead of collimated beams except for three planes. The AD differences and the lateral penumbra width (80%-20% distance) were within ±1.9% and ± 1.1 mm, respectively. For the clinical plan measurements, the γ-passing of LP at 2%/2 mm and the AD differences were 97.7% ± 4.2% on average and within ±1.8%, respectively. The measurements were in good agreement with the calculations of both the cubic and clinical plans inserted in the MLC except for LPs less than 75 mm regions of some cubic and clinical plans. The calculation errors in collimated beams can be mitigated by substituting uncollimated beams.

Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on immunoglobulin G antibody titres after SARS-CoV2 vaccination.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with cardiovascular disease are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection. Although SARS-CoV2 vaccination may be effective, its impact on surgical patients is not well studied. We investigated the effects of cardiovascular surgery, especially under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), on the antibody titres after SARS-CoV2 vaccination. METHODS: A prospective observational study was designed for patients undergoing surgery between July and November 2021. The immunoglobulin G against the receptor-binding domain was measured and antibody preserved rate (APR) was calculated from perioperative titres comparison. RESULTS: Enrolled 63 study patients were divided into 39 undergoing surgery with CPB (Group CPB) and 24 without CPB (Group None). Preoperative vaccines were BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) (n = 58, 92%) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) (n = 5, 8%). While immunoglobulin G against the receptor-binding domain titres did not significantly decrease after surgery in Group None, they decreased significantly in Group CPB from 21.80 [11.15, 37.85] to 11.95 [6.80, 18.18] U/ml (P < 0.001) a day after surgery, 11.40 [7.85, 22.65] U/ml (P < 0.001) 14 days after surgery and 7.60 [4.80, 17.60] U/ml (P < 0.001) a month after surgery. The APRs a day after the surgery were significantly lower in Group CPB (0.46 [0.41, 0.60]) than in Group None (0.80 [0.68, 0.87]) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The SARS-CoV2 antibody titres significantly decreased with lower APRs immediately after surgery under CPB. Based on our informative results, careful considerations of vaccination schedule might be required for surgery under CPB.

Thrombosed stuck mitral valve during advanced mechanical circulatory support for post-cardiotomy shock.

We report a case of mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis in a 52-year-old woman with previous diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy, who was supported with advanced mechanical circulatory support after urgent mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR) and tricuspid annuloplasty. Difficult weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass needed support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation and Impella (Abiomed Inc, Danvers, MA, USA), so-called ECPELLA. Temporary discontinuation of heparin and massive blood transfusion were necessary due to four times of reoperation for bleeding during ECPELLA support. Poor recovery of cardiac function needed escalation from ECPELLA to extracorporeal biventricular assist device (ex-BiVAD) using two centrifugal pumps on Day 12. After gradual decrease in the left ventricular assist device flow, transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopic images revealed the stuck leaflets of the mitral prosthesis. Therefore, the patient underwent re-MVR with a bioprosthesis on Day 18, followed by continued assistance with ex-BiVAD. The patient was finally weaned from ex-BiVAD on Day 28 and was transferred to the referral hospital for rehabilitation. She was alive in good general condition at 2-year follow-up. It is important to balance the effects of anticoagulation on advanced mechanical circulatory support with ECPELLA, against the side effects of bleeding, especially in post-cardiotomy patients with bleeding tendency. .

A case of renal cell carcinoma with late recurrence in the bilateral hilar lymph nodes twenty years after surgery.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignancy with a high recurrence rate. However, brain and bilateral hilar lymph node (BHL) relapse is rare. A 65-year-old man with a chief complaint of hemosputum visited the primary care clinic. Computed tomography revealed BHL enlargement. Histopathological examination of biopsy specimens from the left lingular bronchus revealed RCC. This finding was similar to that of a left nephrectomy specimen of RCC observed 20 years ago. If patients have a medical history of RCC, physicians should consider the possibility of RCC recurrence, regardless of the number of years relapsed postoperatively.

A case of squamous cell lung cancer treated with anamorelin in combination with a multidisciplinary collaborative approach for treating cancer cachexia.

Anamorelin (ANA) is approved for treating cancer cachexia (CCX) in Japan. We report the case of a 69-year-old man with stage IVB squamous cell lung cancer complicated by CCX, having a 13.6% weight loss in 6 months. After chemotherapy was initiated, his weight was further reduced. Therefore, we started ANA combined with a treatment approach by a multidisciplinary collaboration, including nutritionists and physical therapists. After initiation of ANA, the body weight, appetite, psoas muscle index, and physical functions rapidly improved during chemotherapy. ANA administration combined with a multidisciplinary collaboration approach can be an effective supportive therapy against CCX during chemotherapy.

Hybrid repair for Kommerell's diverticulum and right aortic arch with aberrant right vertebral artery.

Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) is a rare aneurysm of the origin of an aberrant subclavian artery. Hybrid aortic arch repair for KD is being performed more often. We report hybrid arch repair for KD in a 63-year-old man with a right aortic arch and aberrant right vertebral artery, an extremely rare variant. We performed total arch replacement to completely reconstruct the five cervical arteries with elephant trunk to create an adequate landing zone, followed by second-stage endovascular stent-grafting from the ascending aorta to the proximal descending aorta.

Acromegaly Initially Presenting with Severe Infectious Diseases: A Case Report.

A 39-year-old man presented with worsening fever, cough, and fatigue. He was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and was found to have sepsis, septic pulmonary embolism, right empyema, liver abscess, pyelonephritis, and a prostate abscess, with background diabetes mellitus. While receiving treatment, an ICU nurse noticed that the patient's toe tips were too large to fit the clamp device of pulse oximeters. Thus, we re-examined the patient and confirmed that he had clinical features indicative of acromegaly including bulging eyebrows, enlarged nose and lips, large feet, and prognathism. He and his family had not noticed these features except for his enlarged feet. We evaluated the patient further for acromegaly, and a pituitary mass was detected via contrast-enhanced head magnetic resonance imaging. Whole-body computed tomography also revealed thickened heel pads, cauliflower deformity, frontal sinus enlargement, sella turcica enlargement, and mandibular malocclusion. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed to investigate abnormal secretion of growth hormone (GH), and the results revealed a paradoxical increase in GH levels. The patient was then diagnosed with acromegaly according to the clinical guidance of the Japan Endocrine Society. Acromegaly develops slowly; thus, to improve patients' prognoses, physicians including internists, family physicians, and endocrinologists should include acromegaly in their differential when signs are apparent.

Two-staged surgical treatment for Kommerell diverticulum with a right aortic arch and an aberrant left subclavian artery.

Kommerell diverticulum (KD) is an aneurysm of the orifice of an aberrant subclavian artery (SCA) from the descending aorta or aortic arch. We have performed two-staged surgical strategy for the treatment of KD with right aortic arch. The first step was the bypass grafting between the left common carotid artery and the aberrant left SCA with occlusion of the distal side of KD with the plug. The second step was the descending aorta replacement through the right thoracotomy. Four patients underwent these operations. No hospital deaths or major complications were observed. All four patients were discharged and have been alive for 1-6 years without any health problems. Two of four patients had symptoms of dysphagia preoperatively, and it resolved postoperatively in both patients. No hoarseness occurred after surgery, and 1-6 years of CT observation showed no recanalization of the vascular plug.

Prophylactic use of vacuum-assisted closure system for cannula sites: A case of extracorporeal biventricular assist devices for 295 days.

We report wound management using a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system for the cannula sites of extracorporeal biventricular assist devices (BiVADs) for 295 days in a 23-year old Chinese female patient with fulminant giant cell myocarditis, who finally underwent heart transplantation. When the cannula sites appeared necrotic 3 months after BiVADs placement, she received negative pressure wound therapy prophylactically for four cannula sites, using a VAC system for 3 months, followed by no infections. Such prophylactic VAC therapy, using the skin barrier paste usually used for the ostomy pouching system to create a flatter surface and airtightness, may be useful to avoid cannula site infections, which is still a fatal complication causing sepsis, especially in patients with extracorporeal BiVADs.

[Mitral Valve Surgery for a Patient with Mediastinal Shift after Left Pneumonectomy:Report of a Case].

A 70-year-old patient who survived about 40 years after left pneumonectomy for tuberculosis visited emergency hospital, because of dyspnea. She received suitable medical therapy for atirial fibrillation and severe mitral regurgitation and hesitated heart surgery because of anxiety for surgical risk. The computed-tomography showed mediastinal shift to left and right lung compensatory expansion. Respiratory function test after treatment of heart failure showed only mild restrictive disorder. And the blood-gas examination in room air was 101 mmHg of Pao2 and 37 mmHg of Paco2. The mitral valve replacement was performed via median sternotomy and using normal cardiopulmonary bypass. And she fully recoverd without any respiratory complications. Mediastinal shift did not obstract the surgical view and establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass in this case. It seemed that the key of surgical successs is the preserved function of healthy residual lung.

Selective blockade of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 reduces cyclophosphamide-induced bladder pain in mice.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a non-selective cation channel activated by various physical stimuli such as cell swelling and shear stress. TRPV4 is expressed in bladder sensory nerves and epithelium, and its activation produces urinary dysfunction in rodents. However, there have been few reports regarding its involvement in bladder pain. Therefore, we investigated whether TRPV4 is involved in bladder pain in mouse cystitis model. Intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CYP; 300 mg/kg) produced mechanical hypersensitivity in the lower abdomen associated with a severe inflammatory bladder in mice. The mechanical threshold was reversed significantly in Trpv4-knockout (KO) mice. Repeated injections of CYP (150 mg/kg) daily for 4 days provoked mild bladder inflammation and persistent mechanical hypersensitivity in mice. Trpv4-KO mice prevented a reduction of the mechanical threshold without an alteration in bladder inflammation. A selective TRPV4 antagonist also reversed the mechanical threshold in chronic cystitis mice. Although expression of Trpv4 was unchanged in the bladders of chronic cystitis mice, the level of phosphorylated TRPV4 was increased significantly. These results suggest involvement of TRPV4 in bladder pain of cystitis mice. A TRPV4 antagonist might be useful for patients with irritable bladder pain such as those with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.