High Thoracic Tortuosity Is Associated With CT-Markers of Degeneration of the Descending Thoracic Aortic Wall.

Objective/introduction: Increased vascular tortuosity may be an independent marker of generalized aortic pathology. This study investigates the association between descending thoracic aortic tortuosity, aneurysm pathophysiology, and outcomes following EVAR in AAA patients.

Methods: Patients who underwent elective EVAR between 2004 and 2018 were reviewed.

Whole genome sequencing identifies loci specifically associated with thoracic aortic wall defects and abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with European ancestry.

Objective: The objective of this study was to better understand the pathophysiology and underlying genetic mechanisms behind two abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) subtypes using computed tomographic imaging in combination with whole genome sequencing.

Methods: Patients with a known AAA and European ancestry were included in this investigation and underwent genetic and image analysis. Patients with AAAs and indications of descending thoracic aortic pathology (aortic dissection, penetrating aortic ulcers, intramural hematoma, atheromas, ulcerative plaque, and intramural ulceration, and intimal flaps/tears) were classified as having thoracic aortic disease, grouped together, and compared with patients with an AAA and a normal descending thoracic aorta.

Sustainable irrigation based on co-regulation of soil water supply and atmospheric evaporative demand.

Irrigation is an important adaptation to reduce crop yield loss due to water stress from both soil water deficit (low soil moisture) and atmospheric aridity (high vapor pressure deficit, VPD). Traditionally, irrigation has primarily focused on soil water deficit. Observational evidence demonstrates that stomatal conductance is co-regulated by soil moisture and VPD from water supply and demand aspects.

Decreased Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Size Following EVAR in Patients With CT Evidence of Subclinical Thoracic Aortic Dissection.

Background: Aneurysm sac regression following endovascular repair (EVAR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an established indicator of surgical success. However, even with a completely excluded aneurysm, the degree of aortic sac regression may vary. This study evaluates the relationship between aneurysm sac regression after EVAR and the presence of morphological features in the thoracic aorta that can be associated with a subclinical aortic dissection, termed dissection morphology in this study.

Seasonal responses of photosynthetic parameters in maize and sunflower and their relationship with leaf functional traits.

Estimates of seasonal variation in photosynthetic capacity (P ) are critical for modeling the time course of carbon fluxes. Given the time-intensive nature of calculating P parameters via gas exchange, it is appealing to calculate parameter variation via changes in chlorophyll (Chl) and nitrogen (N) content by assuming that P scales with these variables. Although seasonal changes in P and the relationships between N and P have been evaluated in forest canopies, there is limited data on seasonal parameter values in crops, nor is it clear if seasonal changes in P can be estimated from leaf traits under the high N fertility of managed systems.

Seasonal variability of the parameters of the Ball-Berry model of stomatal conductance in maize (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under well-watered and water-stressed conditions.

The Ball-Berry (BB) model of stomatal conductance (g ) is frequently coupled with a model of assimilation to estimate water and carbon exchanges in plant canopies. The empirical slope (m) and 'residual' g (g ) parameters of the BB model influence transpiration estimates, but the time-intensive nature of measurement limits species-specific data on seasonal and stress responses. We measured m and g seasonally and under different water availability for maize and sunflower.

Estimating the sensitivity of stomatal conductance to photosynthesis: a review.

A common approach for estimating fluxes of CO and water in canopy models is to couple a model of photosynthesis (A ) to a semi-empirical model of stomatal conductance (g ) such as the widely validated and utilized Ball-Berry (BB) model. This coupling provides an effective way of predicting transpiration at multiple scales. However, the designated value of the slope parameter (m) in the BB model impacts transpiration estimates.

An update on the etiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms: implications for future diagnostic testing.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease is multifactorial with both environmental and genetic risk factors. The current research in AAA revolves around genetic profiles and expression studies in both human and animal models. Variants in genes involved in extracellular matrix degradation, inflammation, the renin-angiotensin system, cell growth and proliferation and lipid metabolism have been associated with AAA using a variety of study designs.

An Evolving Understanding of the Genetic Causes of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Disease.

Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta (AAA) are relatively common - affecting as many as 8% of men and 1% of women over the age of 65. AAAs are characterized by a 50% increase in the diameter of the aneurysmal aorta compared with the normal vessel. Degeneration of structural components of the aortic wall is believed to be central in the pathogenesis of AAAs.

Solution structure of the HIV-1 exon splicing silencer 3.

Alternative splicing of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genomic RNA is necessary to produce the complete viral protein complement, and aberrations in the splicing pattern impair HIV-1 replication. Genome splicing in HIV-1 is tightly regulated by the dynamic assembly/disassembly of trans host factors with cis RNA control elements. The host protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1, regulates splicing at several highly conserved HIV-1 3' splice sites by binding 5'-UAG-3' elements embedded within regions containing RNA structure.