Polygenic Risk Score Informed Clinical Model for Improving Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disease with environmental and genetic risk factors. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) based on disease-specific risk-associated single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have demonstrated effectiveness in stratifying individual-level disease risk for cardiovascular diseases. This prospective cohort study assessed associations of PRS of AAA (PRS) with risk of incident AAA, analyzed the effectiveness of a combined clinical-genetic risk model, and explored the clinical utility of the model in identifying high-risk individuals for AAA screening.

Reconfigurable Resistive Switching Memory for Telegraph Code Sensing and Recognizing Reservoir Computing Systems.

Reservoir computing (RC) system is based upon the reservoir layer, which non-linearly transforms input signals into high-dimensional states, facilitating simple training in the readout layer-a linear neural network. These layers require different types of devices-the former demonstrated as diffusive memristors and the latter prepared as drift memristors. The integration of these components can increase the structural complexity of RC system.

Predisposing Anatomy for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Functional Outcomes after Supraclavicular Thoracic Outlet Decompression in Athletes.

Purpose: This study aims to examine predisposing anatomic factors and subsequent post-decompression functional outcomes among high-intensity athletes with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).

Materials And Methods: A single-institution retrospective review was performed on a prospective database of patients with TOS from 2018 to 2023 who had undergone operative decompression for TOS. Demographics, TOS characteristics, predisposing anatomy, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were examined.

The geometric evolution of aortic dissections: Predicting surgical success using fluctuations in integrated Gaussian curvature.

Clinical imaging modalities are a mainstay of modern disease management, but the full utilization of imaging-based data remains elusive. Aortic disease is defined by anatomic scalars quantifying aortic size, even though aortic disease progression initiates complex shape changes. We present an imaging-based geometric descriptor, inspired by fundamental ideas from topology and soft-matter physics that captures dynamic shape evolution.

Highly Reliable 3D Channel Memory and Its Application in a Neuromorphic Sensory System for Hand Gesture Recognition.

Brain-inspired neuromorphic computing systems, based on a crossbar array of two-terminal multilevel resistive random-access memory (RRAM), have attracted attention as promising technologies for processing large amounts of unstructured data. However, the low reliability and inferior conductance tunability of RRAM, caused by uncontrollable metal filament formation in the uneven switching medium, result in lower accuracy compared to the software neural network (SW-NN). In this work, we present a highly reliable CoO-based multilevel RRAM with an optimized crystal size and density in the switching medium, providing a three-dimensional (3D) grain boundary (GB) network.

Correction: Enhanced cardiomyocyte structural and functional anisotropy through synergetic combination of topographical, conductive, and mechanical stimulation.

Correction for 'Enhanced cardiomyocyte structural and functional anisotropy through synergetic combination of topographical, conductive, and mechanical stimulation' by Jongyun Kim , , 2023, , 4540-4551, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LC00451A.

Enhanced cardiomyocyte structural and functional anisotropy through synergetic combination of topographical, conductive, and mechanical stimulation.

Drug-induced cardiotoxicity, a significant concern in the pharmaceutical industry, often results in the withdrawal of drugs from the market. The main cause of drug-induced cardiotoxicity is the use of immature cardiomyocytes during drug screening procedures. Over time, several methods such as topographical, conductive, and mechanical stimulation have been proposed to enhance both maturation and contractile properties of these cardiomyocytes.

Near-wall hemodynamic changes in subclavian artery perfusion induced by retrograde inner branched thoracic endograft implantation.

Objective: Left subclavian artery (LSA)-branched endografts with retrograde inner branch configuration (thoracic branch endoprosthesis [TBE]) offer a complete endovascular solution when LSA preservation is required during zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair. However, the hemodynamic consequences of the TBE have not been well-investigated. We compared near-wall hemodynamic parameters before and after the TBE implantation using computational fluid dynamic simulations.

Cancer-associated thrombosis by cancer sites and inherited factors in a prospective population-based cohort.

Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is common and associated with mortality. We estimated CAT rate by cancer sites and inherited factors among cancer patients from the UK Biobank (N =70,406). The 12-month CAT rate after cancer diagnosis was 2.

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Hip Flexibility and Pain in Taekwondo Participants: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: In sports, hip flexibility is essential to reduce injuries and improve performance.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the effects of auricular acupressure on hip flexibility and pain in Taekwondo participants.

Method: This randomized controlled trial was performed in the Republic of Korea from January 2021 to August 2021.

Controller Design and Stability Analysis of Intensification Process using Analytical Exact Gain-Phase Margin approach.

The controllable intensified process has received immense attention from researchers in order to deliver the benefit of process intensification to be operated in a desired way to provide a more sustainable process toward reduction of environmental impact and improvement of intrinsic safety and process efficiency. Despite numerous studies on gain and phase margin approach on conventional process systems, it is yet to be tested on intensified systems as evidenced by the lack of available literature, to improve the controller performance and robustness. Thus, this paper proposed the exact gain and phase margin (EGPM) through analytical method to develop suitable controller design for intensified system using Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller formulation, and it was compared to conventional Direct Synthesis methods (DS), Internal Model Control (IMC), and Industrial IMC method in terms of the performance and stability analysis.

Revascularizations and limb outcomes of hospitalized patients with diabetic peripheral arterial disease in the contemporary era.

Background: Concomitant diabetes mellitus and peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a complex disease process. This retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample sought to understand trends in limb outcomes of this unique and prevalent cohort of patients.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample was queried between 2003 and 2017 for hospitalizations of patients with both type 2 diabetes mellitus and PAD.

Contemporary Unplanned Readmission Trends Following Management of Type B Aortic Dissection.

Purpose: Large studies have demonstrated improved survival outcomes with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) at two and five years compared to medical therapy; however, early TEVAR for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate trends and clinical predictors of hospital readmissions in patients undergoing medical management and TEVAR for acute TBADs.

Materials And Methods: The Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for all 30-day and 90-day index readmissions (30D-IR and 90D-IR, respectively) after a diagnosis of a TBAD from January 2012 to September 2015.

Correction: Aflibercept for treatment-naïve diabetic macula oedema in a multi-ethnic population: Real-world outcomes from North West London.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The strength of the online vascular community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 has drastically altered the medical landscape and profoundly affected the way we conduct our vascular surgery practices. The pandemic was a time of change, not only in the way health care was provided, but also in how people in the health care systems interacted. Social media has rapidly become a crucial communication tool, combining physical distancing and digital connectedness.

Insights on Bridging Stent Grafts in Fenestrated and Branched Aortic Endografting.

Major branches of the aortic arch and visceral aorta pose a particular challenge for endovascular repair of aneurysms involving these regions. To preserve perfusion through these essential branches, fenestrated and branched endografts have been used. Current fenestrated and branched aortic endografts have evolved into modular devices in which the aortic main body provides appropriate access to the target branch vessel either through reinforced fenestrations or directional cuffs as the hinge point for bridging stent grafts (BSGs).

Fusion rates for conservative and surgical management of type II odontoid fractures and its impact.

Background: Type II odontoid fractures are known to have low fusion rates following conservative management with a hard collar. However, most patients are elderly with comorbidities and are not fit for surgery. The present study identified the rates of bony fusion, complications, and clinical outcomes following conservative management of type II odontoid fractures.

Aflibercept for treatment-naïve diabetic macula oedema in a multi-ethnic population: Real-world outcomes from North West London.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with treatment-naïve diabetic macula oedema (DMO) treated with Aflibercept in routine clinic settings in ethnically diverse North West London (NWL) and compare to outcomes reported in the VIVID and VISTA clinical trials.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicentre interventional case series. Two hundred and seventy eyes of 221 treatment-naïve patients at three NWL hospitals initiated on Aflibercept and who had at least 12 months follow-up were included in the study.

Perioperative outcomes for carotid revascularization on asymptomatic dialysis-dependent patients meet Society for Vascular Society guidelines.

Objective: The current Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines recommend carotid revascularization for asymptomatic disease in patients with at least a 3-year life expectancy and stenosis >60% when the expected perioperative stroke and death rate is <3%. Based on this recommendation, it was previously determined that asymptomatic patients who require dialysis would not meet the perioperative stroke and death thresholds nor the long-term survival benchmarks to justify carotid surgery. To determine whether carotid surgery for patients requiring dialysis is appropriate, the present study compared the perioperative outcomes after carotid revascularization for dialysis-dependent patients relative to nondialysis patients in a contemporary, national cohort.

Contemporary Endovascular Outcomes for Critical Limb Ischemia Are Still Failing to Meet Society for Vascular Surgery Objective Performance Goals.

Objectives: The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) created Objective Performance Goals (OPGs) for critical limb ischemia (CLI) in 2009. It was previously shown that endovascular therapy for CLI was not meeting these benchmarks. The OPG for all peripheral interventions is <8% for major adverse cardiac events (MACE), <8% for major adverse limb events (MALE), and <3% for major amputation.

Gaussian Surface Curvature Mapping Indicating High Risk Type B Thoracic Aortic Dissections.

Background: Identifying fragile aortas that are more likely to lead to adverse clinical outcomes would provide surgeons with a better sense of how to balance the risks of surgical versus medical management in patients with type B dissections. We examine the progression of a type B dissection into a type A dissection in a patient and analyze changes in the Gaussian surface curvature distribution, as well as the response of the stress distribution at the lesser curve in response to pressurization. We hypothesize that examining the Gaussian curvature will provide us with a link between aortic surface geometry and the stress distribution, which is crucial to understanding the process driving aortic dissection.

Aortic Remodeling and Clinical Outcomes Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury.

Background: There is currently limited data assessing the long-term consequences of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in otherwise healthy aortic segments remote from the site of endograft coverage. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate aortic remodeling and long-term outcomes of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) patients treated with TEVAR. Our hypothesis is that significant changes to the aorta proximal to the graft-covered segment are suspected following TEVAR.