Managing Interfacial Defects and Charge-Carriers Dynamics by a Cesium-Doped SnO2 for Air Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

A high-quality nanostructured tin oxide (SnO2) has garnered massive attention as an electron transport layer (ETL) for efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). SnO2 is considered the most effective alternative to titanium oxide (TiO2) as ETL because of its low-temperature processing and promising optical and electrical characteristics. However, some essential modifications are still required to further improve the intrinsic characteristics of SnO2, such as mismatch band alignments, charge extraction, transportation, conductivity, and interfacial recombination losses. Herein, an inorganic-based cesium (Cs) dopant is used to modify the SnO2 ETL and to investigate the impact of Cs-dopant in curing interfacial defects, charge-carrier dynamics, and improving the optoelectronic characteristics of PSCs. The incorporation of Cs contents efficiently improves the perovskite film quality by enhancing the transparency, crystallinity, grain size, and light absorption and reduces the defect states and trap densities, resulting in an improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ≈22.1% with Cs:SnO2 ETL, in-contrast to pristine SnO2-based PSCs (20.23%). Moreover, the Cs-modified SnO2-based PSCs exhibit remarkable environmental stability in a relatively higher relative humidity environment (>65%) and without encapsulation. Therefore, this work suggests that Cs-doped SnO2 is a highly favorable electron extraction material for preparing highly efficient and air-stable planar PSCs.

Suppression of Thermally Induced Surface Traps in Colloidal Quantum Dot Solids via Ultrafast Pulsed Light.

Thermal annealing (TA) of colloidal quantum dot (CQD) films is considered an important process for recent high-performing CQD solar cells (SCs) due to its beneficial effects on CQD solids, including enhanced electrical conductivity, denser packing of CQD films, and the removal of organic residues and solvents. However, the conventional TA for CQDs, which requires several  minutes, leads to hydroxylation and oxidation on the CQD surface, resulting in the formation of trap states and a subsequent decline in SC performance. To address these challenges, this study introduces a flashlight annealing (FLA) technique that significantly reduces the annealing time to the millisecond scale. Through the FLA approach, it successfully suppressed hydroxylation and oxidation, resulting in decreased trap states within the CQD solids while simultaneously preserving their charge transport properties. As a result, CQD SCs treated with FLA exhibited a notable improvement, achieving an open-circuit voltage of 0.66 V compared to 0.63 V in TA-treated devices, leading to an increase in power conversion efficiency from 12.71% to 13.50%.

Synergistic Contribution of Oligo(ethylene glycol) and Fluorine Substitution of Conjugated Polymer Photocatalysts toward Solar Driven Sacrificial Hydrogen Evolution.

To separately explore the importance of hydrophilicity and backbone planarity of polymer photocatalyst, a series of benzothiadiazole-based donor-acceptor alternating copolymers incorporating alkoxy, linear oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) side chain, and backbone fluorine substituents is presented. The OEG side chains in the polymer backbone increase the surface energy of the polymer nanoparticles, thereby improving the interaction with water and facilitating electron transfer to water. Moreover, the OEG-attached copolymers exhibit enhanced intermolecular packing compared to polymers with alkoxy side chains, which is possibly attributed to the self-assembly properties of the side chains. Fluorine substituents on the polymer backbone produce highly ordered lamellar stacks with distinct π-π stacking features; subsequently, the long-lived polarons toward hydrogen evolution are observed by transient absorption spectroscopy. In addition, a new nanoparticle synthesis strategy using a methanol/water mixed solvent is first adopted, thereby avoiding the screening effect of surfactants between the nanoparticles and water. Finally, hydrogen evolution rate of 26 000 µmol g-1  h-1 is obtained for the copolymer incorporated with both OEG side chains and fluorine substituents under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). This study demonstrates how the glycol side chain strategy can be further optimized for polymer photocatalysts by controlling the backbone planarity.

Di-n-butyl phthalate disrupts neuron maturation in primary rat embryo neurons and male C57BL/6 mice.

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is commonly used as a plasticizer and its usage continues to increase in conjunction with plastic consumption. DBP is readily released into air, drinking water, and soil, and unfortunately, is a potent endocrine disrupter that impairs central nervous system functions. Previously DBP was found to (1) arrest the cell cycle of C17.2 neural progenitor cells (NPCs) at the G1 phase, (2) reduce numbers of newly generated neural stem cells in the mouse hippocampus, and (3) adversely affect learning and memory. Other investigators also noted DBP-mediated neurotoxic effects, but as yet, no study has addressed the adverse effects of DBP on neuronal differentiation. Data demonstrated that at 200 µM DBP induced apoptosis in rat embryo primary neurons by increasing reactive oxygen species levels and inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. However, no significant effect was detected on neurons at concentrations of ≤100 µM. In contrast, doublecortin/microtubule associated protein-2 (DCX/MAP2) immunocytochemistry showed that DBP at 100 µM delayed neuronal maturation by increasing protein levels of DCX (an immature neuronal marker), without markedly affecting cell viability. Further in vivo studies confirmed that DCX+ cell numbers were significantly elevated in the hippocampus of DBP-treated mice, indicating that DBP delayed neuronal maturation, which is known to be associated with impaired memory retention. Data demonstrated that DBP might disrupt neuronal maturation, which is correlated with reduced neurocognitive functions.

Surgical management of a metastatic vertebral tumour originating from a mammary adenocarcinoma in a dog.

An 11-year-old spayed female Toy Poodle presented with acute tetraparesis. A small subcutaneous mass was found in the right trunk region, and the magnetic resonance revealed a compressive spinal cord lesion due to an irregular bone proliferation at the third cervical vertebra. After surgical resection of the vertebral lesion, the neurological symptoms improved, and the patient could walk on her own. The excised vertebral and subcutaneous masses were diagnosed as a mammary adenocarcinoma on the histopathological examination, with Ki-67 and HER-2 immunohistochemistry staining. This case report highlights the importance of defining the primary tumours of metastatic vertebral tumours and the necessity of palliative surgery to improve the patient's quality of life.

A novel mechanism of fluconazole: fungicidal activity through dose-dependent apoptotic responses in Candida albicans.

Fluconazole (FLC) is a well-known fungistatic agent that inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis. We showed that FLC exhibits dose-dependent fungicidal activity, and investigated the fungicidal mechanism of FLC on Candida albicans. To confirm the relationship between fungicidal activity and the inhibition of ergosterol, we assessed membrane dysfunctions via propidium iodide influx and potassium leakage, as well as morphological change. Interestingly, while membrane disruption was not observed at all tested concentrations of FLC, potassium efflux and cell shrinkage were observed at high dosages of FLC (HDF). Low-dosage FLC (LDF) treatment did not induce significant changes. Next, we examined whether the fungicidal activity of FLC was associated with apoptosis in C. albicans. FLC caused dose-dependent apoptotic responses, including phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation. It was also involved in glutathione depletion followed by oxidative damage. In particular, unlike LDF, HDF leads to the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis, including mitochondrial membrane depolarization and accumulation of calcium and reactive oxygen species. HDF-induced mitochondrial dysfunction promoted the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol, and activated intracellular metacaspase. In conclusion, the dose-dependent fungicidal activity of FLC was due to an apoptotic response in C. albicans.

Potential role of potassium and chloride channels in regulation of silymarin-induced apoptosis in Candida albicans.

Silymarin, which is derived from the seeds of Silybum marianum, has been widely used to prevent and treat liver diseases. In our previous study, we reported that at concentrations above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), silymarin exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans by targeting its plasma membrane. However, the antifungal mechanism at concentration below the MIC remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the underlying mechanism of antifungal effects of silymarin at concentration below the MIC. To evaluate the inhibitory effects on the ion channels, C. albicans cells were separately pretreated with potassium and chloride channel blockers. The antifungal activity of silymarin at sub-MIC was affected by the ion channel blockers. Potassium channel blockade inhibited the antifungal effects, whereas chloride channel blockade slightly enhanced these effects. Subsequently, we found that silymarin induced disturbances in calcium homeostasis via the cytosolic and mitochondrial accumulation of calcium. Furthermore, apoptotic responses, such as phosphatidylserine exposure, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and caspase activation were induced in response to silymarin treatment. The increases in intracellular calcium level and pro-apoptotic changes were prevented when potassium ion channels were blocked. In contrast, these changes were enhanced upon chloride channels blockade; however, this did not affect the intracellular calcium levels and MMP loss. Thus, we showed that silymarin treatment at concentration below the MIC induced apoptosis in C. albicans; additionally, ion channels contributed these effects. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(3):197-206, 2018.

Learning, memory deficits, and impaired neuronal maturation attributed to acrylamide.

Acrylamide (ACR) is a neurotoxin known to produce neurotoxicity characterized by ataxia, skeletal muscle weakness, cognitive impairment, and numbness of the extremities. Previously, investigators reported that high-dose (50 mg/kg) ACR impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and increased neural progenitor cell death; however, the influence of subchronic environmentally relevant low dose-(2, 20, or 200 µg/kg) ACRs have not been examined in adult neurogenesis or cognitive function in mice. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether low-dose ACR adversely affected mouse hippocampal neurogenesis and neurocognitive functions. Male C57BL/6 mice were orally administered vehicle or ACR at 2, 20, or 200 µg/kg/day for 4 weeks. ACR did not significantly alter the number of newly generated cells or produce neuroinflammation or neuronal loss in hippocampi. However, behavioral studies revealed that 200 µg/kg ACR produced learning and memory impairment. Furthermore, incubation of ACR with primary cultured neurons during the developmental stage was found to delay neuronal maturation without affecting cell viability indicating the presence of developmental neurotoxicity. These findings indicate that although exposure to in vivo low-dose ACR daily for 4 weeks exerted no apparent marked effect on hippocampal neurogenesis, in vitro observations in primary cultured neurons noted adverse effects on learning and memory impairment suggestive of neurotoxic actions.

Resveratrol induces membrane and DNA disruption via pro-oxidant activity against Salmonella typhimurium.

Resveratrol is a flavonoid found in various plants including grapes, which has been reported to be active against various pathogenic bacteria. However, antibacterial effects and mechanisms via pro-oxidant property of resveratrol remain unknown and speculative. This research investigated antibacterial mechanism of resveratrol against a food-borne human pathogen Salmonella typhimurium, and confirmed the cell death associated oxidative damage. Resveratrol increased outer membrane permeability and membrane depolarization. It also was observed DNA injury responses such as DNA fragmentation, increasing DNA contents and cell division inhibition. Intracellular ROS accumulation, GSH depletion and significant increased malondialdehyde levels were confirmed, which indicated pro-oxidant activity of resveratrol and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the observed lethal damages were reduced by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine treatment supported the view that resveratrol-induced oxidative stress stimulated S. typhimurium cell death. In conclusion, this study expands understanding on role of pro-oxidant property and insight into previously unrecognized oxygen-dependent anti-Salmonella mechanism on resveratrol.

Posterior Tibial Artery as an Alternative to the Radial Artery for Arterial Cannulation Site in Small Children: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the posterior tibial artery as an alternative arterial cannulation site to the radial artery in small children. METHODS: A two-stage study was conducted. First, we evaluated the anatomical characteristics of the posterior tibial artery compared with the radial and dorsalis pedis arteries. Next, a parallel-arm single-blind randomized controlled study compared the initial success rate of ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation among three arteries as a primary outcome. RESULTS: Sixty patients were analyzed in the observational study. The diameter of the posterior tibial artery (1.5 ± 0.2 mm) was similar to that of the radial artery (1.5 ± 0.2 mm) and larger than that of the dorsalis pedis artery (1.2 ± 0.2 mm; P < 0.001). The posterior tibial artery has a larger cross-sectional area (2.8 ± 1.1 mm) compared with the radial (2.3 ± 0.8 mm; P = 0.013) and dorsalis pedis arteries (1.9 ± 0.6 mm; P = 0.001). In total, 234 patients were analyzed in the randomized study. The first-attempt success rate of the posterior tibial artery (75%) was similar to that of the radial (83%; P = 0.129; odds ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.69 to 3.37) and higher than that of the dorsalis pedis artery (45%; P < 0.001; odds ratio, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.99 to 7.87). Median cannulation time of the posterior tibial artery (21 s; interquartile range, 14 to 30) was similar to that of the radial artery (27 s; interquartile range, 17 to 37) and shorter than that of the dorsalis pedis artery (34 s; interquartile range, 21 to 50). CONCLUSIONS: The posterior tibial artery is a reasonable alternative to the radial artery for ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation in small children.

Elucidating Charge Carrier Dynamics in Perovskite-Based Tandem Solar Cells.

Recently, multijunction tandem solar cells (TSCs) have presented high power conversion efficiency and revealed their immense potential in photovoltaic evolution. It is demonstrated that multiple light absorbers with various bandgap energies overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit of single-junction solar cells by absorbing the wide-range wavelength photons. Here, the main key challenges are reviewed, especially the charge carrier dynamics in perovskite-based 2-terminal (2-T) TSCs in terms of current matching, and how to manage these issues from a vantage point of characterization. To do this, the effect of recombination layers, optical and fabrication hurdles, and the impact of wide bandgap perovskite solar cells are discussed extensively. Afterward, this review focuses on various optoelectronics, spectroscopic, and theoretical (optical simulation) characterizations to figure out those issues, especially current-matching issues faced by the photovoltaic society. This review comprehensively provides deep insights into the relationship between the current-matching problems and the photovoltaic performance of TSCs through a variety of perspectives. Consequently, it is believed that this review is essential to address the main problems of 2-T TSCs, and the suggestions to elucidate the charge carrier dynamics and its characterization may pave the way to overcome such obstacles to further improve the development of 2-T TSCs in relation to the current-matching problems.

Discriminative stimulus and reinforcing effects of diclazepam in rodents.

Diclazepam, a designer benzodiazepine, is a lesser-known novel anxiolytic substance and a structural analog of diazepam. Although several case studies have reported the adverse effects of diclazepam, their potential impacts remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of diclazepam in rodents using drug discrimination, locomotor activity, self-administration (SA), and conditioned place preference (CPP) tests. Sprague-Dawley rats (male, 8 weeks old, weighing 220-450 g, n = 12 per group) and C57BL/6 mice (male, 7 weeks old, weighing 20-25 g, n = 7-8 per group) were administered alprazolam, morphine, and diclazepam. Diclazepam fully elicited alprazolam-appropriate dose-dependent lever responses (>80 %) similar to those of alprazolam. In rats administered 0.5 mg/kg of morphine, a partial substitution (80 %-20 %) was observed. Mice receiving intraperitoneal injections of diclazepam (0.05, 0.2, and 2 mg/kg) showed decreased locomotor activity. In the SA experiment, mice that self-administered intravenous diclazepam (2 µg/kg/infusion) showed significantly higher infusion and active lever responses compared to the vehicle group. No statistically significant rewarding effects of diclazepam at the doses of 0.2 and 2 mg/kg evaluated using the CPP paradigm were found. In conclusion, diclazepam has reinforcing effects and shares the interoceptive effects of alprazolam. Therefore, legal restrictions on the use of diclazepam should be carefully considered.

N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, an methylenedioxymethamphetamine derivative, exhibits rewarding and reinforcing effects by increasing dopamine levels.

An N-protected methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (t-BOC-3,4-MDMA), contains tert-butoxycarbonyl and can remain undetected in the illicit drug market. It is a new type of precursor substance that is not a chemical intermediate and can be converted into a controlled substance, MDMA, by deprotection of the N-tert-butoxycarbonyl group. Categorization of this chemical into a precursor or psychotropic substance is an issue because it is an unprecedented precursor that could have misuse potential. Although MDMA causes rewarding and reinforcing effect through dopaminergic transmission, the misuse potential of t-BOC-3,4-MDMA has not yet been characterized. Here, we aim to evaluate the misuse potential of t-BOC-3,4-MDMA. The response to the drug at a dose of 5 mg/kg was determined by a climbing test, and its rewarding and reinforcing properties were assessed through conditioned place preference and self-administration tests. In the conditioned place preference test, intraperitoneal administration of t-BOC-3,4-MDMA (5 mg/kg) significantly altered place preference in mice. In the self-administration models, t-BOC-3,4-MDMA induced drug-taking behavior at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg/infusion (intravenous) during 2 hr sessions under fixed-ratio schedules in mice. In addition, microdialysis experiments verified that t-BOC-3,4-MDMA impacted the dopamine levels of the brain (striatum) of rats. These experimental results indicate that t-BOC-3,4-MDMA has a potential for misuse. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Surgical Correction of a Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect with Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connections Using Cardiac Computed Tomography Imaging and a 3D-Printed Model.

Sinus venosus atrial septal defects (SVASDs), concurrent with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections (PAPVCs), are a rare congenital heart disease in dogs. Surgical correction is essential when clinical signs or significant hemodynamic changes are present. We aimed to report on the successful surgical correction of an SVASD with PAPVCs, using a computed tomography (CT)-based customized 3D cardiac model. A 10-month-old male poodle was referred for corrective surgery for an ASD. Echocardiography confirmed a hemodynamically significant left-to-right shunting flow through an interatrial septal defect and severe right-sided heart volume overload. For a comprehensive diagnosis, a CT scan was performed, which confirmed an SVASD with PAPVCs. A customized 3D cardiac model was used for preoperative decision-making and surgical rehearsal. The defect was repaired using an autologous pericardial patch under a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Temporary pacing was applied for sinus bradycardia and third-degree atrioventricular block. The patient recovered from the anesthesia without further complications. The pacemaker was removed during hospitalization and the patient was discharged without complications 2 weeks post-surgery. At the three-month follow-up, there was no shunting flow in the interatrial septum and the right-sided volume overload had been resolved. The cardiac medications were discontinued, and there were no complications. This report indicates the validity of surgical correction under CPB for an SVASD with PAPVCs, and the advantages of utilizing a CT-based 3D cardiac model for preoperative planning to increase the surgical success rate.

Highly Efficient Wide Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells With Tunneling Junction by Self-Assembled 2D Dielectric Layer.

Reducing non-radiative recombination and addressing band alignment mismatches at interfaces remain major challenges in achieving high-performance wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells. This study proposes the self-organization of a thin two-dimensional (2D) perovskite BA2PbBr4 layer beneath a wide-bandgap three-dimensional (3D) perovskite Cs0.17FA0.83Pb(I0.6Br0.4)3, forming a 2D/3D bilayer structure on a tin oxide (SnO2) layer. This process is driven by interactions between the oxygen vacancies on the SnO2 surface and hydrogen atoms of the n-butylammonium cation, aiding the self-assembly of the BA2PbBr4 2D layer. The 2D perovskite acts as a tunneling layer between SnO2 and the 3D perovskite, neutralizing the energy level mismatch and reducing non-radiative recombination. This results in high power conversion efficiencies of 21.54% and 19.16% for wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells with bandgaps of 1.7 and 1.8 eV, with open-circuit voltages over 1.3 V under 1-Sun illumination. Furthermore, an impressive efficiency of over 43% is achieved under indoor conditions, specifically under 200 lux white light-emitting diode light, yielding an output voltage exceeding 1 V. The device also demonstrates enhanced stability, lasting up to 1,200 hours.

Silica-Based Platform Decorated with Conjugated Polymer Dots and Prussian Blue for Improved Photodynamic Cancer Therapy.

To advance cancer treatment, we have developed a novel composite material consisting of conjugated polymer dots (CPDs) and Prussian blue (PB) particles, which were immobilized on, and encapsulated within, silica particles, respectively. The CPDs functioned as both a photosensitizer and a photodynamic agent, and the PB acted as a photothermal agent. The silica platform provided a biocompatible matrix that brought the two components into close proximity. Under laser irradiation, the fluorescence from the CPDs in the composite material enabled cell imaging and was subsequently converted to thermal energy by PB. This efficient energy transfer was accomplished because of the spectral overlap between the emission of donor CPDs and the absorbance of acceptor PB. The increase in local temperature in the cells resulted in a significant increase in the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by CPDs, in which their independent use did not produce sufficient ROS for cancer cell treatment. To assess the impact of the enhanced ROS generation by the composite material, we conducted experiments using cancer cells under 532 nm laser irradiation. The results showed that with the increase in local temperature, the generated ROS increased by 30% compared with the control, which did not contain PB. When the silica-based composite material was positioned at the periphery of the tumor for 120 h, it led to a much slower tumor growth than other materials tested. By using a CPD-based photodynamic therapy platform, a new simplified approach to designing and preparing cancer treatments could be achieved, which included photothermal PB-assisted enhanced ROS generation using a single laser. This advancement opens up an exciting new opportunity for effective cancer treatment.

Exciton-Scissoring Perfluoroarenes Trigger Photomultiplication in Full Color Organic Image Sensors.

An unprecedented but useful functionality of perfluoroarenes to enable exciton scissoring in photomultiplication-type organic photodiodes (PM-OPDs) is reported. Perfluoroarenes that are covalently connected to polymer donors via a photochemical reaction enable the demonstration of high external quantum efficiency and B-/G-/R-selective PM-OPDs without the use of conventional acceptor molecules. The operation mechanism of the suggested perfluoroarene-driven PM-OPDs, how covalently bonded polymer donor:perfluoroarene PM-OPDs can perform as effectively as polymer donor:fullerene blend-based PM-OPDs, is investigated. By employing a series of arenes and conducting steady-state/time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy analyses, it is found that interfacial band bending between the perfluoroaryl group and polymer donor is responsible for exciton scissoring and subsequent electron trapping, which induces photomultiplication. Owing to the acceptor-free and covalently interconnected photoactive layer in the suggested PM-OPDs, superior operational and thermal stabilities are observed. Finally, finely patterned B-/G-/R-selective PM-OPD arrays that enable the construction of highly sensitive passive matrix-type organic image sensors are demonstrated.

Adjusted Bulk and Interfacial Properties in Highly Stable Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cells Fabricated by Thermocompression Bonding between Perovskite Layers.

In order to shield perovskite solar cells (PSCs) from extrinsic degradation factors and ensure long-term stability, effective encapsulation technology is indispensable. Here, a facile process is developed to create a glass-glass encapsulated semitransparent PSC using thermocompression bonding. From quantifying the interfacial adhesion energy and considering the power conversion efficiency of devices, it is confirmed that bonding between perovskite layers formed on a hole transport layer (HTL)/indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) glass and an electron transport layer (ETL)/ITO glass can offer an excellent lamination method. The PSCs fabricated through this process have only buried interfaces between the perovskite layer and both charge transport layers as the perovskite surface is transformed into bulk. The thermocompression process leads the perovskite to have larger grains and smoother, denser interfaces, thereby not only reducing defect and trap density but also suppressing ion migration and phase segregation under illumination. In addition, the laminated perovskite demonstrates enhanced stability against water. The self-encapsulated semitransparent PSCs with a wide-band-gap perovskite (Eg ∼ 1.67 eV) demonstrate a power conversion efficiency of 17.24% and maintain long-term stability with PCE > ∼90% in the 85 °C shelf test for over 3000 h and with PCE > ∼95% under AM 1.5 G, 1-sun illumination in an ambient atmosphere for over 600 h.

Partial Venous Inflow Occlusion under Mild Hypothermia for Membranectomy in a Dog with Cor Triatriatum Dexter.

Cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) is an uncommon congenital cardiac anomaly in dogs. This case report describes successful membranectomy for CTD via partial venous inflow occlusion under mild hypothermia in a dog. A 7-month-old intact male mixed-breed dog weighing 20.5 kg presented with a history of abdominal distention, lethargy, and anorexia. Clinical examination, radiography, echocardiography, microbubble testing, and computed tomography revealed a remnant right atrium membrane obscuring the venous blood inflow from the vena cava. Considering the potential risk of re-stenosis following interventional treatment, curative resection involving surgical membranectomy via venous inflow occlusion was performed. By performing partial venous inflow occlusion under mild hypothermia (34.5 °C), sufficient time was obtained to explore the defect and resect the remnant membrane. The dog recovered without any complications, and the clinical signs were relieved. This case illustrates that partial venous inflow occlusion under mild hypothermia is feasible for achieving curative resection of cor triatriatum dexter in dogs.

Open-heart surgery using Del-Nido cardioplegia in two dogs: partial atrioventricular septal defect and mitral repair.

Del-Nido cardioplegia (DNc) is a single-dose cardioplegia that is widely used in human medicine because of its long duration. In this report, we describe two cases of open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using DNc. One dog was diagnosed with partial atrioventricular septal defect, and the other dog was diagnosed with myxomatous mitral valve disease stage D. Both dogs were treated with open-heart surgery with DNc to induce temporary cardiac arrest. No complications from DNc were observed, and the patients were discharged. Veterinary heart surgeons should consider DNc as an option for temporary cardiac arrest during open-heart surgery with CPB.