3-Alkyl-2-Methoxypyrazines: Overview of Their Occurrence, Biosynthesis and Distribution in Edible Plants.

Pyrazines are ubiquitous in nature - biosynthesized by microorganisms, insects, and plants. Due to their great structural diversity, they own manifold biological functions. Alkyl- and alkoxypyrazines for instance play a key role as semiochemicals, but also as important aroma compounds in foods.

l-Serine is the Direct Precursor for the Pyrazine Ring Construction in the Biosynthesis of 3-Isobutyl-2-Methoxypyrazine in Bell Pepper Fruits (Capsicum annuum L.).

3-Isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) is an extremely potent odorant and responsible for the specific aroma of many fruits and vegetables. Especially bell pepper contains high levels of IBMP, which is the character impact compound of its typical aroma. However, since the discovery of methoxypyrazines in plants in the 1960s the biosynthesis of their pyrazine ring motif remained so far unknown.

Sites of biosynthesis, distribution and phloem transport of 3-isobutyl-2-Methoxypyrazine in Capsicum annuum (bell pepper) plants.

The distribution and translocation as well as the biosynthetic sites of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) in bell pepper plants (Capsicum annuum) were examined. For IBMP-quantification, a stable-isotope dilution assay (SIDA) was developed, using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ToF-MS). While IBMP was the most abundant MP in all aerial plant parts, IPMP was dominating in root tissues.

Investigation of Biosynthetic Precursors of 3-Isobutyl-2-Methoxypyrazine Using Stable Isotope Labeling Studies in Bell Pepper Fruits ( L.).

The biosynthesis of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) in bell pepper fruits ( L.) was investigated by feeding experiments with stable isotope-labeled precursors. Volatiles were extracted using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ToF-MS).

Prognostic interaction between age and sex on outcomes following carotid endarterectomy.

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic interaction between age and sex on peri-operative and follow-up outcomes following elective carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid stenosis. A retrospective review of all patients admitted to a single vascular unit who underwent elective CEA between January, 2015 and December, 2019 was performed. The primary endpoints of the study were overall survival (from index operation) and cumulative stroke rate at thirty days.

Secondary Relining With Focal Flaring of Novel-Generation Balloon-Expandable Covered Stents for Endovascular Treatment of Significant Diameter Mismatch in the Aorto-Iliac Territory.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to report on the safety and feasibility of secondary relining with focal flaring of novel-generation balloon-expandable covered stents for endovascular treatment of significant diameter mismatch in the aorto-iliac territory. Significant diameter mismatch was defined as >20% difference in the nominal diameter between the intended proximal and distal landing zones.

Methods: Patient A was an 84-year-old man with prior abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair with a straight 20 mm Dacron tube.

Novel Application of Custom-Made Stent Grafts with Inner Branches for Secondary Treatment After Stent Graft Migration of Previous Infrarenal Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Purpose: We present a novel application of custom-made stent grafts (CMSGs) with inner branches to incorporate target vessels (TVs) as an alternative to fenestrations or directional branches for secondary treatment after stent graft migration of previous infrarenal endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).

Case Report: Two consecutive patients with stent graft migration of previous EVAR were electively treated at our institution from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Stent graft migration was defined as radiologic evidence of stent graft displacement >10 mm.

Secondary Endovascular Repair of Recurring Lesions and Perioperative Complications after Open Aortic Repair: The Complementary Role of Different Technical Solutions.

Background: The aim of our article was to describe the complementary role of different technical solutions for secondary endovascular repair of recurring lesions and perioperative complications after open aortic repair (OAR).

Methods: We describe our clinical experience of secondary endovascular repair after OAR. We included in the analysis all consecutive patients who presented recurring lesions and perioperative complications after OAR and underwent secondary endovascular repair between January 1, 2015 and June 31, 2018.

Custom-Made Unibody Conical Endografts for Elective Endovascular Repair of Saccular Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with Narrow Aortic Bifurcations-Novel Implementation of the Aortoaortic Concept.

The aortoaortic concept for endovascular repair (EVAR) of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is nearly forgotten but may constitute a valuable option for focal pathologies. Herein, we describe our experience using custom-made (CM) unibody conical endografts for saccular AAAs with narrow (≤20 mm wide) aortic bifurcation (AB) in three patients. Given the narrow AB, the option for a bifurcated stent graft was reputed not optimal.

Successful Off-Label Use of an Iliac Branch Device to Rescue an Occluded Aortofemoral Bypass Graft.

Purpose: To report an alternative approach for rescue of an occluded aortofemoral bypass using the Gore Excluder Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE).

Case Report: A 52-year-old man presented with acute right limb ischemia because of displaced and occluded iliac stents and was treated with aortofemoral bypass. On the third postoperative day, there was early bypass failure due to distal embolization from aortic thrombus.

Urgent Use of Gore Excluder Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis with Left Transaxillary Approach for Preservation of the Residual Hypogastric Artery: A Case Series.

Background: Preservation of the residual hypogastric artery (HGA) in patients with previous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) may require complex operative strategies. We report an alternative technique to preserve the residual HGA with the Gore Excluder Iliac Branch endoprosthesis (IBE) in urgent situations.

Methods: We report the case of 2 high-risk patients (unfit for open surgery), with previous EVAR and exclusion of 1 HGA, treated in emergency setting.

Multiple sites of vascular dilation or aneurysmal disease and matrix metalloproteinase genetic variants in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess whether functional genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 3, 9, and 12 are associated with arterial enlargements or aneurysms of the thoracic aorta or popliteal arteries in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods: The associations between MMP1 (-1607 G in/del, rs1799750), MMP3 (-1171 A in/del rs35068180), MMP9 (13-26 CA repeats around -90, rs2234681, rs917576, rs917577), and MMP12 (G/T missense variation, rs652438) polymorphisms and enlargements or aneurysms of the thoracic aorta and popliteal arteries were tested in 169 consecutive AAA patients.

Results: Thoracic aorta enlargement or aneurysm (TE/A; maximum diameter, >35 mm) was detected in 34 patients (20.

Treatment of Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with Parallel Graft-Endovascular Aneurysm Repair. Retrospective Analysis of a Single Center Experience and Midterm Results.

Background: We sought to evaluate the midterm results of parallel-graft-endovascular aneurysm repair (pg-EVAR) for complex aortic anatomy in high-risk candidates for open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA).

Methods: Clinical and radiographic information on 35 patients treated by pg-EVAR between March 2010 and December 2015 was retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. All patients presented with symptomatic aneurysms and were treated within 3 days of clinical presentation.

Endovascular Management of Infected Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysms in High-Risk Patients: A Case Series.

We report our experience with the urgent treatment of two high-risk patients with infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (IFAPs) with the placement of a self-expandable covered stent (SECS). In both cases, there was no perioperative mortality and the aneurysm exclusion was successful without early or late stent thrombosis/stent fracture nor acute or chronic limb ischemia or limb loss. There was no recurrence of local or systemic infection during the follow-up period.

Management of an Iatrogenic Pseudoaneurysm of the Superior Gluteal Artery by Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Thrombin Injection: A Case Report.

We report the unusual case of a pseudoaneurysm of the superior gluteal artery (SGA) as a complication of a bone marrow biopsy. A 75-year-old man presented with pain and swelling of the left buttock 1 month after a bone marrow biopsy of the left iliac crest. The patient was treated by percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI).

Neoplastic Embolization from Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma with Unusual Presentation: A Case Report.

Papillary fibroelastoma is the second most frequent primary tumor of the heart. We report the case of a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma, arising from the interatrial septum, symptomatic from distal embolization to lower limb arteries. Such a clinical presentation is extremely infrequent for cardiac papillary fibroelastomas.

Growth Rate of Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Genetic Polymorphisms of Matrix MetalloProteases-1, -3, and -9.

Genetic variants of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs)-1, -3, and 9, together with clinical variables, might predict the growth rate (GR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Genotyping of MMP-1 (-1,607 G+/G-), MMP-3 (- 1,171 6A/5A), and MMP-9 microsatellite (13-26 cytosine-adenosine repeats around -90) from peripheral blood was performed in 137 AAA patients with two AAA diameter measurements (at least 3 months to 1 year apart). When the same technique (either ultrasound or computed tomography) was used for the two measurements, yearly GR was estimated and compared with MMP genotype and clinical features by linear and binary logistic regression.

Internal jugular vein pyogenic capillary hemangioma: a case report.

Internal jugular vein hemangioma, also called pyogenic granuloma, is a rare tumor. Such a neoformation was accidentally discovered and excised in a middle-aged man. Histologic and immunohistochemical investigations were performed, and this case is compared with the poor amount of similar ones described in the literature.

Features of vulnerable plaques and clinical outcome of UA/NSTEMI: Relationship with matrix metalloproteinase functional polymorphisms.

Objective: To assess the association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) genetic polymorphism (PM) with plaques vulnerability and clinical outcome of acute vascular events.

Methods: MMP-1 (-1607 G in/del), MMP-3 (-1171 A in/del), and MMP-9 microsatellite ((13-26) CA repeats around -90) PMs have been determined (i) in 204 patients with cerebrovascular disease to assess the association with features of vulnerability in carotid plaques and prevalence of stroke, (ii) in 208 patients with UA/NSTEMI to assess the association with in-hospital clinical outcome.

Results: Plaques from carriers of MMP-1 G insertion showed significantly smaller plaques and thicker fibrous cap.