Two different types of clinical safety test of Kurozu-containing food were done. Under the informed consent, following tests were conducted, Test 1; Ten healthy adults were orally administrated 10 capslues/day of Kurozu for 4 weeks, Test 2; Ten patients with hepatitis C and 10 patients with mild hepatic dysfunction were orally administrated 2 capslues/day of Krozu for 4 weeks. In both the Test1 and Test2, Vital sign including Blood pressure etc, blood cell count, blood chemical analysis, and urinalysis were performed. In both tests, there were no abnormal findings. Furthermore, no side effect was observed. In conclusion, safety of Kurozu-containing food was confirmed.

We encountered two cases of infected aortic abdominal aneurysm with spondylodiskitis. Both cases were diagnosed on the basis of fever, back pain and pulsatile abdominal mass. A 69-year-old man, case 1, underwent in situ reconstruction 1 year from the onset, because the infection was controllable by antibiotics and he had diabetes mellitus. A 68-year-old man, case 2, underwent operation while his infection was still active, because of paralysis of the bilateral lower extremities, aggravated by invasion of the vertebrae by the abscess. To prevent artificial graft infection, he underwent axillo-femoral bypass, which was extra-anatomical reconstruction, after the infected aneurysm and vertebrae were removed during aortic clamping above the aneurysm and bilateral common iliac arteries. Each stump was sutured and anterior fixation of the vertebrae was performed using an iliac bone graft. The postoperative course of both patients was successful. These cases suggest that the timing and procedure of the operation for infected aortic abdominal aneurysm with spondylodiskitis should be decided depending on the activity of infection, complications, age and activity of daily life of patients.

The use of the radial artery (RA) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is increasing. This study describes mid-term results of the use of RA for CABG. Between March 1996 and March 1999, we performed 134 CABGs using RA or saphenous vein graft (SVG) for the left circumflex branch area or diagonal branch area. The mean age was 62.6±9.6 years in the RA group and 65.0±7.8 years in the SVG group. The average number of anastomoses was 2.7per patient. RA was anastomosed with the postero-lateral branch (PL) in 69 cases, with the obtuse marginal branch (OM) in 29 cases and with the diagonal branch (DB) in 10 cases. SVG was anastomosed with PL in 26 cases, with OM in 14 cases and with DB in 2 cases. The proximal anastomosis was made with the ascending aorta in all cases. No sequential bypass anastomosis was used in any case. The early patency rate of the grafts was 97.9% (93/95) in RA and 91.7% (33/36) in SVG. The clinically negative rate in the treadmill test (TMT) performed later was 99.0% (102/103) in RA and 90.9% (30/33) in SVG. The late patency rate of the grafts was 92.9% (13/14) in RA and 50.0% (3/6) in SVG. Perioperative death occurred in 5 cases. Late cardiac death occurred in 2 cases (0.02%) of the RA group and 1 case (0.03%) of the SVG group. The 3 year-survival rate free of cardiac events was 92.8% in the RA group and 80.9% in the SVG group. The use of RA for CABGs is not only effective for myocardial revascularization, but also can be expected to bring about good patency as a late result.

The excessive consumption test for the safety of black sesame extract (BSE） was conducted. Eleven healthy adults (male 6,female 5) were orally administered 5 tablets/day of BSE for 4 weeks. There were no abnormal changes in blood and urinary analysis. In addition, no serious adverse effects were observed. These results indicate that the excessive dose of BSE is safe for healthy adults.

A 50-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a tumor in the left ventricle. He had suffered from rheumatic fever when 14 years old. He had shown signs of chronic heart failure due to atrial fibrillation and rheumatic valves (ASr, MSr) for 10 years. There was a history of unaccountable fever and rash, so infective endocarditis was suspected and echocardiography was performed. It showed a homogeneous mass with a diameter of approximately 10mm, fixed directly to the left ventricular septum 20mm below the aortic valvular ring. At operation, the tumor was excised together with endocardium and a part of the muscular coat. The rheumatic aortic and mitral valves were replaced with a 21mm SJM AHP and a 27mm SJM MTK mitral valve, respectively. Tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) (De Vega 29mm) was also performed. Histopathological examination of the tumor revealed benign papillary fibroelastoma. It suggested that the tumors were secondary to mechanical wear and tear, and represent a degenerative process due to rheumatic valve disease.

We evaluated the surgical strategy for thoracic aortic aneurysm associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm. From January 1982 to March 1999, 24 consecutive patients underwent surgical treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysm with abdominal aortic aneurysm. Staged operation was performed if one was only slightly dilated, but extensive operation was needed if the size of both aneurysms was greater than 6cm. In cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm with abdominal aortic aneurysm up to 4cm in size, surgical treatment was performed only for the thoracic aortic aneurysm. Circulatory support during operation was established from the ascending aorta, and circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia and retrograde cerebral perfusion were used for brain protection during surgery for thoracic aortic arch aneurysm. Hospital mortality was 12.5% (3/24 cases). The causes of death were cerebral infarction and respiratory failure. Antegrade systemic perfusion and aortic no-touch technique were an effective method of surgery for thoracic aortic aneurysm with abdominal aortic aneurysm to avoid perioperative embolism and major complications. We successfully performed staged operation, but regular radiographic follow-up was needed.

Objective: The present study was done to examine the effect of dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate on human visceral fat accumulation. Material and Methods: Sixteen subjects(BMI≧25) were orally administrated Kurozu concentrate for 8 weeks(low dose group: 500 mg/day, high dose group 1000 mg/day). Before and at weeks 8, hematological analysis, urinalysis and CT-scan to estimate the visceral fat accumulation were conducted. Results: In high dose group, following results were obtained; visceral fat decreased significantly(p=0.033), HDL-cholesterol level elevated significantly (p=0.034) and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly(p=0.004). In addition, no serious symptoms or abnormal hematological values were observed in both group.Conclusions: The dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate may be useful to prevent a metabolic syndrome.