Successful stenting of the ductus venosus in 2 neonates with asplenia syndrome complicated by infracardiac type total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

SummaryIn the neonatal period, the surgical mortality of palliation is extremely high for asplenia syndrome complicated by single ventricle combined with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Recently, stent implantation for the pulmonary venous drainage route soon after birth has been used instead of surgery to prevent pulmonary venous occlusion and to maintain stable hemodynamics in the neonatal period or in early infancy. Here, we successfully implanted stents in the ductus venosus (DV) in 2 neonates with asplenia syndrome complicated by infracardiac type TAPVC. The first patient was a 3-day-old male neonate with severe cyanosis. Immediately after TAPVC was diagnosed, we implanted a stent in the DV. The second patient was a 0-day-old female neonate. She was diagnosed as TAPVC by fetal echocardiogram. After the scheduled delivery, a stent was successfully implanted. We believe that stent implantation in the DV in the neonatal period is effective and less invasive than surgery in patients with infracardiac type TAPVC

Application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to regenerative dentistry and identification of molecular markers for MSC

We characterized human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) by identification of molecular markers and used these markers in clinical studies for treatment of periodontal disease: Auto-transplantation of MSC into periodontal defects enhanced regeneration of cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Stem cell therapy could be a new frontier in dentistry

High-Frequency Oscillatory Combustion in Tubular Flame Burners(Thermal Engineering)

High-frequency oscillatory combustion in tubular flame burners has been experimentally investigated using two prototype burners of 1MW and 2MW. Oscillatory combustion regions have been mapped in the plane of equivalence ratio and air flow rate, and pressures fluctuations also have been recorded. Results show that large-amplitude, high-frequency oscillatory combustion occurs for near stoichiometric mixtures and when the mean axial velocity exceeds about 5m/s. With increasing the air flow rate, the oscillatory combustion region gradually expands on both lean and rich sides. According to FFT analyses, the peak frequencies during the oscillatory combustion exceed 1000Hz. A simple analysis shows that these high frequencies cannot be explained on the basis of the Helmholtz resonator, or attributed to the axial mode of acoustic instability of the burner tube. These high frequencies can be explained on the basis of coupling of tangential and radial modes of acoustic instability of the burner tubes. Just before the onset of the intense oscillatory combustion, the fundamental tangential mode, which is of asymmetry, appears, and during the subsequent intense oscillatory combustion, higher radial modes appear coupled with the asymmetric and symmetric tangential modes. Since the first asymmetric tangential mode of acoustic instability seems to trigger the intense, high-frequency oscillatory combustion, it is suggested to design the burner as symmetric as possible, and in addition, to make the flame as round as possible

Effectiveness of a Teacher Training Program for Students with Symptoms of Developmental Disorders: Data from a Correspondence High School in Japan

In the present study, a teacher training program based on behavioral therapy was conducted for high school correspondence course teachers of adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years who showed developmental difficulties. Participating teachers were assigned to either an immediate treatment (IT; n = 13) or delayed treatment control (DTC; n = 17) group to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, which comprised five 90-min sessions with small groups of three to six participants and was conducted over three months. The results showed significant improvement in students’ behaviors and social responsiveness and in teachers’ confidence among those in the IT group; however, those in the DTC group did not show any such improvement. We discuss the program’s feasibility in terms of developing support resources for teachers in Japanese high schools

Excellent Seizure and Friction Properties Achieved with a Combination of an a-C:H:Si DLC-Coated Journal and an Aluminum Alloy Plain Bearing

Friction occurring between the crank journal and main bearings accounts for a large share of the mechanical losses of automotive engines. The effects of higher in-cylinder pressures and narrower bearings have raised the specific load applied to bearings, making it essential to secure sufficient seizure resistance as well. For the purpose of meeting both requirements, we have endeavored to reduce friction and improve seizure resistance by applying a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating to the crank journal. In the present study, a bearing tester was used that has received international standard certification from the International Organization for Standardization for reproducing the sliding behavior occurring between the crank journal and main bearings in actual engines. Test results indicated that a silicon-containing hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H:Si) DLC-coated journal showed a definite friction reduction and a marked improvement in seizure resistance. An acoustic emission (AE) analysis revealed that an adhesion-induced AE peak observed for a steel journal was not seen for the DLC-coated journal. Additionally, tin and aluminum elements in the bearing material that were transferred to and observed on the sliding surface of the steel journal were not seen on the DLC-coated journal. Accordingly, the low affinity of the DLC coating with these metal elements presumably led to the clear friction reduction and superior seizure resistance displayed by the DLC coating