Mid-term outcomes of mitral valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical Epic porcine bioprosthesis

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the mid-term clinical outcome of the St. Jude Medical Epic porcine bioprosthesis（Epic）in the mitral position at our institution. Methods: This single-center study included 76 consecutive patients（36 men and 40 women; mean age: 71±11.5 years）who underwent mitral valve replacement using the Epic valve from September 2012 to September 2018. Perioperative, early, and mid-term postoperative data were retrospectively collected and analyzed for early and mid-term morbidity and mortality. Result: The mean follow-up period was 70.6（±30.3）months. One operative death occurred, with a 1.3% operative mortality rate. Structural valve degeneration was observed in 12（15.8%）patients, and the reoperation was performed on 8 patients. Leaflet tears caused most of them. The rates of freedom from structural valve degeneration and reoperation were 93.2% and 96.5%, respectively, and the overall survival was 75.6% at 5 years. Conclusions: This single-center analysis demonstrated a satisfactory mid-term clinical outcome of the Epic valve in the mitral position.departmental bulletin pape

Importance of core fucosylation in regulating neuroinflammation

東北医科薬科大学博士（薬科学）令和5年度doctoral thesi

An Overview and Analysis of English Language Proficiency Tests for University Students −Especially to Improve the English Proficiency of Medical and Pharmaceutical Students−

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Interferon lambda 3 ─ a predictive biomarker for patients with mild or moderateⅠ COVID-19

Interferon lambda 3（IFN-λ3）and C-C motif chemokine ligand 17（CCL17）have not been validated as predictive biomarkers of coronavirus disease 2019（COVID-19）severity. Here, we retrospectively investigated whether IFN-λ3 and CCL17 could predict the severity of COVID-19 in patients with mild or moderateⅠ COVID-19. We identified patients with mild or moderateⅠ COVID-19 according to the definition of severity in patients with COVID-19 between September 2020 and July 2021. We retrospectively measured IFN-λ3 and CCL17 levels in the preserved frozen serum blood samples and divided the study participants into four groups: IFNλ3 positive, CLL17-positive, IFNλ3 and CLL17-positive group, and a control group. The main outcome was the proportion of requirement of oxygen support after admission. We performed logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors associated with the proportion of requirement for oxygen support after admission. We identified 127 patients in the study period. The IFN-λ3-positive, CCL17-positive, CCL17 and IFN-λ3-positive, and control groups had 18, 12, 8, and 89 patients, respectively. We determined that the proportion of requirement of oxygen support after admission of each group was 22.2%, 8.3%, 25.0%, and 9%, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that IFN-λ3 positivity was independently associated with a higher proportion of requirement for oxygen support after admission（Odds ratio: 1.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.01−1.1; p＝0.02）, whereas CCL17 exhibited the opposite result. In conclusion, IFN-λ3 could be used as a predictive biomarker for the oxygen support requirement in patients with COVID-19 after admission.departmental bulletin pape

Abstracts of Published Papers and Titles of Papers Presented at Scientific Meeting 【Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences】

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Book Review

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Brain magnetic field measurement: Novel techniques and applications

This study reviews recent advancements in brain magnetic field measurement, focusing on fundamental principles and clinical implications. Magnetoencephalography（MEG）, a noninvasive brain imaging technique, offers unparalleled spatiotemporal resolution. However, the current gold standard device used for MEG, the superconducting quantum interference device（SQUID）, is large/bulky, costly, and depends on cryogenic cooling systems, limiting its accessibility. Moreover, it is highly sensitive to environmental magnetic noise, particularly the geomagnetic field, hindering the full potential of MEG. In recent years, inexpensive, compact, and highly sensitive magnetic sensors that can operate at room temperature, such as optically pumped magnetometers（OPMs）and tunnel magnetoresistance（TMR）sensors, have emerged as promising alternatives. TMR sensors, a unique technology pioneered by Tohoku University in Japan, offer an extended magnetic field measurement range compared to conventional methods. The practical application of these next-generation magnetic sensors will expand the scope of MEG applications beyond fundamental studies on human brain function. Potential medical applications include the precise identification of epileptic foci and advancements in brain-machine interfaces.departmental bulletin pape

Guide for Authors

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Active Learning im Deutschunterricht

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A Report on the 71th Meeting for Liberal Arts of College and Universities in Tohoku-Hokkaido Area

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