Cardiac output drop reflects circulatory attrition after Fontan completion: serial cardiac magnetic resonance study.

Aims: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a main diagnostic tool in the follow-up of Fontan patients. However, the value of serial CMR for the evaluation of Fontan attrition is unknown. The aim of this prospective study of serial CMR is to describe the analysis of time-dependent evolution of blood flow distribution, ventricular volumes, and function in patients after Fontan completion.

Bilateral bidirectional cavopulmonary connection: a review of surgical techniques and clinical implications.

The presence of bilateral superior caval veins (bSCVs) could negatively influence the outcome of Fontan patients. In the setting of a bilateral bidirectional Glenn, the selective blood flow to the ipsilateral long with consequent flow stagnation in the connecting portion could lead to poor growth of the central portion of the pulmonary artery, potentially affecting the eligibility for Fontan completion and being associated with a higher incidence of thrombotic complications. Alternative surgical techniques have been described to perform a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis in the presence of bSCVs aiming to achieve a balanced growth of the pulmonary bifurcation.

Precision Agriculture Applied to Harvesting Operations through the Exploitation of Numerical Simulation.

When it comes to harvesting operations, precision agriculture needs to consider both combine harvester technology and the precise execution of the process to eliminate harvest losses and minimize out-of-work time. This work aims to propose a complete control framework defined by a two-layer-based algorithm and a simulation environment suitable for quantitative harvest loss, time, and consumption analyses. In detail, the path-planning layer shows suitable harvesting techniques considering field boundaries and irregularities, while the path-tracking layer presents a vision-guided Stanley Lateral Controller.

Intraoperative transit-time flow measurement of caval veins before and after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis.

Background: Haemodynamic changes in caval venous flow distribution occurring during bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis operation are still largely unknown.

Methods: Transit time flow measurements were performed in 15 cavopulmonary anastomosis operations. Superior and inferior caval vein flows were measured before and after the cavopulmonary anastomosis.

Infrastructure-Based Vehicle Localization through Camera Calibration for I2V Communication Warning.

In recent years, the research on object detection and tracking is becoming important for the development of advanced driving assistance systems (ADASs) and connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) aiming to improve safety for all road users involved. Intersections, especially in urban scenarios, represent the portion of the road where the most relevant accidents take place; therefore, this work proposes an I2V warning system able to detect and track vehicles occupying the intersection and representing an obstacle for other incoming vehicles. This work presents a localization algorithm based on image detection and tracking by a single camera installed on a roadside unit (RSU).

Vehicle Localization Kalman Filtering for Traffic Light Advisor Application in Urban Scenarios.

The recent advancements in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have revealed significant potential for enhancing traffic management through Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADASs), with benefits for both safety and environment. This research paper proposes a vehicle localization technique based on Kalman filtering, as accurate positioning of the ego-vehicle is essential for the proper functioning of the Traffic Light Advisor (TLA) system. The aim of the TLA is to calculate the most suitable speed to safely reach and pass the first traffic light in front of the vehicle and subsequently keep that velocity constant to overcome the following traffic light, thus allowing safer and more efficient driving practices, thereby reducing safety risks, and minimizing energy consumption.

A selective role for receptor activity-modifying proteins in subchronic action of the amylin selective receptor agonist NN1213 compared with salmon calcitonin on body weight and food intake in male mice.

The role of receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) in modulating the pharmacological effects of an amylin receptor selective agonist (NN1213) or the dual amylin-calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA), salmon calcitonin (sCT), was tested in three RAMP KO mouse models, RAMP1, RAMP3 and RAMP1/3 KO. Male wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) littermate mice were fed a 45% high-fat diet for 20 weeks prior to the 3-week treatment period. A decrease in body weight after NN1213 was observed in all WT mice, whereas sCT had no effect.

Long-term outcomes of atrioventricular septal defect and single ventricle: A multicenter study.

Objective: The study objective was to analyze survival and incidence of Fontan completion of patients with single-ventricle and concomitant unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect.

Methods: Data from 4 Dutch and 3 Belgian institutional databases were retrospectively collected. A total of 151 patients with single-ventricle atrioventricular septal defect were selected; 36 patients underwent an atrioventricular valve procedure (valve surgery group).

RAMP1 and RAMP3 Differentially Control Amylin's Effects on Food Intake, Glucose and Energy Balance in Male and Female Mice.

Amylin is a pancreatic peptide, which acts as a key controller of food intake and energy balance and predominately binds to three receptors (AMY 1-3). AMY 1-3 are composed of a calcitonin core receptor (CTR) and associated receptor-activity modifying proteins (RAMPs) 1-3. Using RAMP1, RAMP3 and RAMP1/3 global KO mice, this study aimed to determine whether the absence of one or two RAMP subunits affects food intake, glucose homeostasis and metabolism.

Autologous Right Auricular Versus PTFE Cavopulmonary Lateral Tunnel: Influence of Surgical Technique on Arrhythmias.

Background: To compare the incidence of arrhythmias and the overall survival at long-term follow-up of the right auricular baffle technique (RA) versus Gore-Tex (GT) baffle as intra-atrial cavopulmonary lateral tunnel, as well as the Nakata index and tunnel dimensions on cardiac magnetic resonance.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected. Serial 24-hour Holter recordings and cardiac magnetic resonance findings of the two groups were compared.

Thoracotomy Versus Sternotomy for Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure in Preterm Neonates.

Background: To date, a posterolateral thoracotomy approach is considered the gold standard for surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), also in preterm neonates. However, a posterolateral thoracotomy approach can induce post-thoracotomy lung injury of the immature and vulnerable lungs of preterm neonates. Therefore, this study aims to compare a posterolateral thoracotomy and median sternotomy for surgical closure of PDA in preterm neonates.

A stented bovine pericardial prosthesis in the pulmonary position.

Background: Pulmonary valve replacement is very common among patients with congenital heart disease. The Carpentier Edwards Perimount valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif), which was originally designed for the aortic position is among the most implanted valves. We aim to describe the follow-up of this valve in the pulmonary position.

Resection of Kommerell Diverticulum and Reimplantation of Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery in Right Aortic Arch Vascular Ring.

A right aortic arch vascular ring consists of an anomalous aortic arch course with a ligamentum arteriosum and an aberrant left subclavian artery arising from a Kommerell diverticulum. Division of the ligamentum arteriosum is required for the relief of symptoms in these patients. However, to prevent recurrent symptoms, resection of the Kommerell diverticulum and reimplantation of the subclavian artery to the left carotid artery is advocated.

Acute Type A Dissection 18 Years After a Ross Operation: The Old Prejudice.

An acute aortic dissection of the pulmonary autograft with a free rupture of the neoaortic wall is a rare complication after a Ross procedure. In this case, the intimal tear was localized in the noncoronary sinus of the pulmonary autograft and the neoaortic wall was ruptured in the involved sinus area. The dissection was contained in the pulmonary autograft.

Surgical Correction of Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis: 52 Years' Experience.

Objectives: Supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) is a rare congenital anomaly. The "single-patch technique," "'two sinus augmentation with an inverted Y-patch" (both nonsymmetrical corrections), "three-patch technique," and the "slide aortoplasty" (both symmetrical corrections) are the techniques implemented by the majority of surgeons for the correction of SVAS. In the few studies that compared these techniques, no technique was shown to be superior over another.

Effects of a multidisciplinary weight loss intervention in overweight and obese children and adolescents: 11 years of experience.

Aims: To evaluate the effects of an outpatient multidisciplinary weight loss intervention in reducing body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents suffering overweight and obesity, changes in A Body Shape Index (ABSI, waist circumference normalized to height and weight) and Hip Index (HI, normalized hip circumference) during treatment and correlation between the ABSI and HI with change in BMI z score.

Methods: We analyze anthropometric data from pediatric patients affected by overweight and obesity aged 2 to 18 years old who entered our multidisciplinary weight loss intervention, which included medical, psychological and nutritional sessions, from January 1st 2006 to December 31st 2016. Lifestyle modification counselling was delivered.

Hyperspectral image analysis for rapid and accurate discrimination of bacterial infections: A benchmark study.

With the rapid diffusion of Full Laboratory Automation systems, Clinical Microbiology is currently experiencing a new digital revolution. The ability to capture and process large amounts of visual data from microbiological specimen processing enables the definition of completely new objectives. These include the direct identification of pathogens growing on culturing plates, with expected improvements in rapid definition of the right treatment for patients affected by bacterial infections.

Off-pump hepatic to azygos connection via thoracotomy for relief of fistulas after a Kawashima procedure: Ten-year results.

Objectives: An almost universal incidence of developing pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas after the Kawashima operation has been reported. Exclusion of the hepatic venous flow from the pulmonary circulation causes the development of these malformations. Redirection of hepatic venous flow to the pulmonary circulation mostly leads to the regression of the arteriovenous fistulas.

Off-pump no-touch technique: 3-year results compared with the SYNTAX trial.

Objectives: A 3-year follow-up of a retrospective, single-centre clinical study of OPCAB (off-pump coronary artery bypass) no-touch technique with arterial composite grafts and an indirect comparison with clinical outcomes of the 3-year follow-up of the SYNTAX trial.

Methods: A total of 400 consecutive patients ('all-comers') who underwent OPCAB no-touch coronary surgery. Primary endpoint was 3-year MACCE (major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events).

Lusoria flap for the management of aortic coarctation in an eight-year-old child.

Anomalous origin of right subclavian artery arising from the descending aorta is known as "arteria lusoria." The diagnosis in asymptomatic children is usually the by-product of other symptomatic-associated anomalies, such as aortic coarctation. We describe a case of an eight-year-old boy with juxtaductal aortic coarctation and rare origin of the arteria lusoria proximal to the aortic coarctation.

Efficacy and safety of ribosome-component immune modulator for preventing recurrent respiratory infections in socialized children.

Attending day care is associated with recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) and asthma. Ribosomal immunotherapy may confer protection against RRIs in children. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of a ribosome-component immune modulator (RCIM) as preventive treatment of respiratory infections in socialized children aged ≤5 years, with or without a history of frequent RRI.

Patients' satisfaction and wound-site complications after radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass.

The aim of the study was to establish patients' satisfaction and the incidence of wound-site complications after radial artery (RA) harvesting for bypass surgery. A telephonic quality of life questionnaire was performed in 306 consecutive patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting with the use of RA with the open technique. A psychometric Likert scale was used to define the degree of patients' satisfaction.

PulseCath(R) as a right ventricular assist device.

The PulseCath(®) is a pulsatile pump that offers a circulatory support up to 3 l/min. The PulseCath(®) is indicated for patients who require a higher degree of support than that offered by the intra-aortic balloon pump. We describe the first two cases of the use of the PulseCath(®) as a temporary support for the right ventricle after insertion through the pulmonary artery trunk.

Off-pump Y-graft coronary artery bypass in a patient with situs inversus totalis.

Situs inversus is the mirror image of situs solitus. Situs inversus with dextrocardia is termed 'situs inversus totalis'. Since situs inversus totalis is a rare condition, there are a only a few reports about off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) in these patients.