Optimizing Arterial Tissue Thickness Measurement Protocols: Digital Vernier Caliper Versus Digital Thickness Gauge.

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze the reproducibility of sample thickness measurements taken by a non-experienced user by comparing a standard digital vernier caliper, with four different protocols, to a specialized thickness gauge.

Methods: The current study is a methodological study where we examined the thickness of the porcine arterial wall in the thoracic aorta of six pigs. Two adjacent samples of 10 × 10 mm from each aorta were excised longitudinally from the anterior wall, resulting in twelve specimens.

Pathways to Alzheimer's Disease: The Intersecting Roles of Clusterin and Apolipoprotein E in Amyloid-β Regulation and Neuronal Health.

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) within the extracellular spaces of the brain as plaques and along the blood vessels in the brain, a condition also known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Clusterin (CLU), or apolipoprotein J (APOJ), is a multifunctional glycoprotein that has a role in many physiological and neurological conditions, including AD. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a significant genetic factor in AD, and while the primary physiological role of APOE in the brain and peripheral tissues is to regulate lipid transport, it also participates in various other biological processes, having three basic human forms: APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4.

Superior Measurement Accuracy of Digital Thickness Gauge Versus Digital Vernier Caliper in Determining Venous Tissue Thickness.

Background In determining mechanical characteristics, the accuracy of the thickness of the specimens can influence the biomechanical behavior, especially in the case of human tissues, where there is an important variability. This study aims to compare the accuracy of two routine measuring instruments, i.e.

Out-Patient versus In-Patient Arteriovenous Fistula Creation for Dialysis: Assessing Cost-Effectiveness Alongside Clinical Implications.

(1) Background: The surgical procedure to create an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) can be performed in either an ambulatory or in-patient hospital setting, depending on the case's complexity, the anesthesia type used, and the patient's comorbidities. The main scope of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness and clinical implications of surgically creating an AVF in both ambulatory and in-hospital settings. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study, in which we initially enrolled all patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) admitted to the Vascular Surgery Department, Emergency County Hospital of Targu Mures, Romania, to surgically create an AVF for dialysis, between January 2020 and December 2022.

Elevated Leukocyte Glucose Index Is Associated with Long-Term Arteriovenous Fistula Failure in Dialysis Patients.

(1) : Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred type of vascular access for dialysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, the primary patency of AVF at one year is under 70% due to several risk factors and comorbidities. Leukocyte glucose index (LGI), a new biomarker based on blood leukocytes and glucose values, has been found to be associated with poor outcomes in cardiovascular disease.

Application of Adipose Stem Cells in 3D Nerve Guidance Conduit Prevents Muscle Atrophy and Improves Distal Muscle Compliance in a Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Model.

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) represent a significant clinical problem, and standard approaches to nerve repair have limitations. Recent breakthroughs in 3D printing and stem cell technologies offer a promising solution for nerve regeneration. The main purpose of this study was to examine the biomechanical characteristics in muscle tissue distal to a nerve defect in a murine model of peripheral nerve regeneration from physiological stress to failure.

Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Enzymolytic and Biomechanical Profiles of Abdominal Aortic Adventitia Tissue.

Background: The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as an increase in aortic diameter by more than 50% and is associated with a high risk of rupture and mortality without treatment. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of aortic adventitial collagen photocrosslinking by UV-A irradiation on the biomechanical profile of the aortic wall.

Methods: This experimental study is structured in two parts: the first part includes in vitro uniaxial biomechanical evaluation of porcine adventitial tissue subjected to either short-term elastolysis or long-term collagenolysis in an attempt to duplicate two extreme situations as putative stages of aneurysmal degeneration.

Textural Analysis of the Hyperdense Artery Sign in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Predicts the Outcome of Thrombectomy.

Textural analysis is pivotal in augmenting the diagnosis and outcomes of endovascular procedures for stroke patients. Due to the detection of changes imperceptible to the human eye, this type of analysis can potentially aid in deciding the optimal type of endovascular treatment. We included 40 patients who suffered from acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion, and calculated 130 different textural features based on the non-enhanced CT scan using an open-source software (3D Slicer).

Pregnancy-Associated Spontaneous Coronary Acute Dissection as a Cause of Sudden Cardiac Death-Autopsy Findings and Literature Review: Is COVID-19 Related?

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality globally (violent or non-violent), with few to no feasible remedies. The etiopathogenesis of SCD involves a complex and multilayered substrate in which dynamic factors interact with a preexistent cardiovascular pathology, which is often undiagnosed and untreated, leading to the rapid development of cardiac rhythm disorders and cardiac arrest. Cardiovascular disease is a rare but emerging factor in maternal mortality that can be justified by an upward trend in the mean age of pregnant individuals.

Intimal CD31-Positive Relative Surfaces Are Associated with Systemic Inflammatory Markers and Maturation of Arteriovenous Fistula in Dialysis Patients.

Background: Arteriovenous fistula dysfunction is a widely disputed subject in the scientific literature on end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The main cause of mortality and morbidity in these patients is the non-maturation or dysfunction of the arteriovenous fistula. Despite the many complications, the native arteriovenous fistula remains the gold standard in the treatment of these patients requiring renal replacement.

Increased Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Heart Characteristics Are Correlated with BMI and Predict Silent Myocardial Infarction in Sudden Cardiac Death Subjects: An Autopsy Study.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a significant global public health issue and the leading cause of death worldwide. Its etiopathogenesis is complex and multilayered, involving dynamic factors interacting with a preexistent cardiovascular pathology, frequently unknown, and resulting in cardiac rhythm disorders and cardiac arrest; Methods: This study conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis over a one-year period, identifying 321 autopsy cases of sudden deaths from the Institute of Legal Medicine in Mures County, Romania, in 2019. From the 321 sudden death cases, 189 autopsy reports were selected for analysis based on inclusion and exclusion; Results: The autopsies had a mean age of 61.

Overview of Side-Effects of Antibacterial Fluoroquinolones: New Drugs versus Old Drugs, a Step Forward in the Safety Profile?

Antibacterial fluoroquinolones (FQs) are frequently used in treating infections. However, the value of FQs is debatable due to their association with severe adverse effects (AEs). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued safety warnings concerning their side-effects in 2008, followed by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) and regulatory authorities from other countries.

Transarterial Embolization of Ruptured Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysm Related to Chronic Pancreatitis.

We presented a 67-year-old woman with lightheadedness, diaphoresis, and acute epigastric and right hypochondrium pain, with a past medical history including stage 2 essential hypertension, chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy, and class 1 obesity. An abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scan showed an extensive hematoma (3 × 4 cm in size) located intra-abdominally, adjacent to the duodenojejunal area, with hyperdensity around the duodenum, positioned inferior to the pancreas (30-59 HU). Moreover, the CT scan also revealed an enhancing lesion as a pseudoaneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, measuring 5 × 8 × 8 mm with active bleeding and associated hematoma.

Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) vs. Polyester (Dacron) Grafts in Critical Limb Ischemia Salvage.

Background: Critical ischemia of the lower limbs refers to the last stages of peripheral arterial disease. It is characterized by resting discomfort or trophic disorders such as ulceration, skin necrosis, or gangrene in the lower limbs. Critical ischemia corresponds to Leriche-Fontaine (LF) stages III-IV and Rutherford stages 4-6.

Increased Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT), Left Coronary Artery Plaque Morphology, and Valvular Atherosclerosis as Risks Factors for Sudden Cardiac Death from a Forensic Perspective.

Background: In sudden cardiac deaths (SCD), visceral adipose tissue has begun to manifest interest as a standalone cardiovascular risk factor. Studies have shown that epicardial adipose tissue can be seen as a viable marker of coronary atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate, from a forensic perspective, the correlation between body mass index (BMI), heart weight, coronary and valvular atherosclerosis, left ventricular morphology, and the thickness of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in sudden cardiac deaths, establishing an increased thickness of EAT as a novel risk factor.

The Predictive Role of Systemic Inflammatory Markers in the Development of Acute Kidney Failure and Mortality in Patients with Abdominal Trauma.

Background: Abdominal trauma is defined as a variety of injuries to the abdominal wall, solid or hollow intra-abdominal organs, and various intra-abdominal vessels. Recently, there has been a significant amount of interest in the establishment of a reliable biomarker that can predict the outcome in patients with an abdominal injury. The purpose of this study is to confirm the predictive role of inflammatory biomarkers and underlying risk factors and the risk of acute kidney insufficiency (AKI) developing and mortality in abdominal trauma patients; Materials and methods: The current study was intended as an observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study and included all patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of abdominal trauma confirmed through a CT scan admitted to the County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu-Mureș, Romania between January 2017, and December 2021; Results: Non-survivor patients had a greater age (p = 0.

Computed Tomography Angiography Markers and Intraluminal Thrombus Morphology as Predictors of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex vascular disease characterized by progressive and irreversible local dilatation of the aortic wall. Currently, the indication for repair is linked to the transverse diameter of the abdominal aorta, using computed tomography angiography imagery, which is one of the most used markers for aneurysmal growth. This study aims to verify the predictive role of imaging markers and underlying risk factors in AAA rupture.

Carotid Plaque Features and Inflammatory Biomarkers as Predictors of Restenosis and Mortality Following Carotid Endarterectomy.

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the first-line surgical intervention for cases of severe carotid stenoses. Unfortunately, the restenosis rate is high after CEA. This study aims to demonstrate the predictive role of carotid plaque features and inflammatory biomarkers (monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), and Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI)) in carotid restenosis and mortality at 12 months following CEA.

Inflammatory Biomarkers as Prognostic Factors of Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis Following the Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background and objectives: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is one of the most serious post-operative complications in the case of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to verify the predictive role of inflammatory biomarkers [monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI)] in acute DVT following TKA. Materials and methods: The present study was designed as an observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study and included all patients over 18 years of age with surgical indications for TKA, admitted to the Department of Orthopedics, Regina Maria Health Network, Targu Mures, Romania, and the Department of Orthopedics, Humanitas MedLife Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania between January 2017 and July 2022.

Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers and Chest CT Findings as Predictors of Acute Limb Ischemia Risk, Intensive Care Unit Admission, and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Numerous tools, including inflammatory biomarkers and lung injury severity scores, have been evaluated as predictors of thromboembolic events and the requirement for intensive therapy in COVID-19 patients. This study aims to verify the predictive role of inflammatory biomarkers [monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), and Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI)] and the CT Severity Score in acute limb ischemia (ALI) risk, intensive unit care (ICU) admission, and mortality in COVID-19 patients.; Methods: The present study was designed as an observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study and included all patients older than 18 years of age with a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, confirmed through real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and admitted to the County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu-Mureș, Romania, and Modular Intensive Care Unit of UMFST “George Emil Palade” of Targu Mures, Romania between January 2020 and December 2021.

The Predictive Value of Systemic Inflammatory Markers, the Prognostic Nutritional Index, and Measured Vessels' Diameters in Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation Failure.

Background: An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the first-line vascular access pathway for patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In planning vascular access, it is necessary to check the diameters of the venous and arterial components for satisfactory long-term results. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the maturation failure and short-term patency in cases of AVFs is not fully known.

Chest CT Severity Score and Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers as Predictors of the Need for Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and of COVID-19 Patients' Mortality.

Background: Numerous tools, including inflammatory biomarkers and lung injury severity scores, have been evaluated as predictors of disease progression and the requirement for intensive therapy in COVID-19 patients. This study aims to verify the predictive role of inflammatory biomarkers [monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] and the total system score (TSS) in the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods: The present study was designed as an observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study and included all patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, confirmed through real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and radiological chest CT findings admitted to County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu-Mureș, Romania, and Modular Intensive Care Unit of UMFST “George Emil Palade” of Targu Mures, Romania between January 2021 and December 2021.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Vascular Surgery Unit activity in Central Romania.

The COVID-19 outbreak has placed substantial pressure on the medical systems worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the prepandemic vs. pandemic period on the activity of the Vascular Surgery Unit of a large emergency hospital in Eastern Europe.