Critical limb-threatening ischaemia and microvascular transformation: clinical implications.

Background And Aims: Clinical management of critical limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) is focused on prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic arterial occlusions. The role of microvascular pathology in disease progression is still largely unspecified and more importantly not utilized for treatment. The aim of this explorative study was to characterize the role of the microvasculature in CLTI pathology.

Friendly Neck Anatomy Does Not Prevent Neck-Related Adverse Events After EVAR.

Background: Life-long follow-up after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is costly and burdensome to the patient. Follow-up should be stratified based on the risk of EVAR failure. Aneurysm neck is thought to be the single most important risk factor.

Radiographically quantified sarcopenia and traditional cardiovascular risk assessment in predicting long-term mortality after endovascular aortic repair.

Objective: This study evaluated radiographically quantified sarcopenia and the patient's comorbidity burden based on traditional cardiovascular risk assessment as potential predictors of long-term mortality after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).

Methods: The study included 480 patients treated with standard EVAR for intact infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, aneurysm dimensions, and other preoperative risk factors were collected retrospectively.

Long-term outcomes of transaxillary versus video-assisted first rib resection for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Objectives: This study compared the long-term outcomes in terms of clinical examinations and patient-reported outcome measures, between transaxillary and video-assisted thoracoscopic techniques for first rib resection in patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Methods: The study population comprised patients who underwent first rib resection for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome at our institution between 2009 and 2016. All patients were recruited in a follow-up assessment in 2019, and those who agreed to participate were included in this study.

Long-term outcome over a decade after first rib resection for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Objectives: The aim was to determine long-term outcomes over a decade after first rib resection (FRR) in patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS). A secondary aim was to investigate correlation of residual rib stump with long-term symptoms.

Methods: This ambispective cohort included patients who underwent transaxillary FRRs for NTOS between 1998 and 2007.

Patient Self-Assessment and Acoustic Voice Analysis in Screening of Postoperative Vocal Fold Paresis and Paralysis.

Background And Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of two items in vocal fold paresis and paralysis screening after thyroid and parathyroid surgery: patient self-assessment of voice using the Voice Handicap Index and computer-based acoustic voice analysis using the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 181 patients who underwent thyroid or parathyroid surgery over a 1-year study period (2017). Preoperatively, all patients underwent laryngoscopic vocal fold inspection and acoustic voice analysis, and they completed the Voice Handicap Index questionnaire.

Perceptual Assessment and Acoustic Voice Analysis as Screening Tests for Vocal Fold Paresis After Thyroid or Parathyroid Surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of clinician-based perceptual assessment of voice and computerized acoustic voice analysis as screening tests for vocal fold paresis or paralysis (VFP) after thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 181 patients undergoing thyroid or parathyroid procedure with pre and postoperative laryngoscopic vocal fold inspection, perceptual voice assessment using grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) scale and acoustic voice analysis using the multi-dimensional voice program (MDVP). Patients were divided into 2 groups for comparison; those with new postoperative VFP and those without.

Treatment With FoxP3+ Antigen-Experienced T Regulatory Cells Arrests Progressive Retinal Damage in a Spontaneous Model of Uveitis.

We specify the clinical features of a spontaneous experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) model, in which foreign hen-egg lysozyme (HEL) is expressed in the retina, controlled by the promoter for interphotoreceptor retinol binding protein (IRBP). We previously reported 100% P21 (post-partum day) IRBP:HEL single transgenic (sTg) mice, when crossed to transgenic T cell receptor mice (3A9) generating the double transgenic (dTg) genotype, develop EAU despite profound lymphopenia (thymic HEL-specific T cell deletion). In this work, we characterized the immune component of this model and found conventional dTg CD4+ T cells were less anergic than those from 3A9 controls.

Effect of Endovascular Treatment Rate on Population Level Outcomes and Survival After Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Objectives: The aim was to study outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open surgical repair (OSR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in four geographically adjacent populations with identical demographics and variable EVAR rates.

Methods: This was a multicentre cohort study based on local and national registry data from an area of 815 000 inhabitants. The study involved 527 consecutive patients with an intact AAA treated with EVAR (n = 327) or OSR (n = 200) between 2010 and 2016.

Preterm Birth: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence on Nutritional and Bioactive Solutions for Risk Reduction.

Preterm birth (PTB) (<37 weeks of gestation) is the leading cause of newborn death and a risk factor for short and long-term adverse health outcomes. Most cases are of unknown cause. Although the mechanisms triggering PTB remain unclear, an inappropriate increase in net inflammatory load seems to be key.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Natural Outcome of Vocal Fold Paresis in 920 Thyroid Operations with Routine Pre- and Postoperative Laryngoscopic Evaluation.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and spontaneous recovery rate of vocal fold paresis (VFP) with routine laryngoscopy before and after thyroid surgery.

Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing primary or redo thyroid surgery between years 2011-2016 were prospectively registered in an electronic database, and scheduled for pre- and postoperative laryngoscopic vocal fold inspection by otolaryngologists independently of the surgical team.

Results: A total of 920 thyroid operations with 1296 nerves at risk were performed in 866 patients.

Partial retinal photoreceptor loss in a transgenic mouse model associated with reduced levels of interphotoreceptor retinol binding protein (IRBP, RBP3).

Organ-specific transgenic membrane expression of hen egg lysozyme (HEL) as a "neo-self antigen" has been used in several models to study immunological tolerance. In this study we report the changes which occur in the B10.BR mouse retina when membrane-bound HEL is expressed in photoreceptors under the control of the promoter for interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP, RBP3).

Thoracoscopic Versus Transaxillary Approach to First Rib Resection in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Background: This study assessed the feasibility of fully endoscopic thoracoscopic first rib resection (FRR) in the treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome by comparing early outcomes of the thoracoscopic technique against the traditional transaxillary FRR.

Methods: Between 2009 and 2016, 60 consecutive FRRs were performed on 47 patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (13 bilateral procedures). The first 30 procedures were performed using the traditional transaxillary technique, and the novel thoracoscopic technique was used in the next 30 operations with the same indications for operative repair.

Ocular antigen does not cause disease unless presented in the context of inflammation.

Ocular antigens are sequestered behind the blood-retina barrier and the ocular environment protects ocular tissues from autoimmune attack. The signals required to activate autoreactive T cells and allow them to cause disease in the eye remain in part unclear. In particular, the consequences of peripheral presentation of ocular antigens are not fully understood.

Pharmacomechanical Thrombectomy in Paget-Schroetter Syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate feasibility of pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT) in the treatment of Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) followed by thoracoscopic or open surgical decompression of the subclavian vein.

Methods: Twenty-two out of 27 consecutive patients with PSS received PMT using the Trellis-8 peripheral infusion system (Covidien) between 2010 and 2014. Subsequent surgery was performed in 18 of those patients, 9 patients were treated with thoracoscopic, 7 patients with subclavicular, and 2 patients with transaxillary first rib resection, 4 patients were treated with PMT and anticoagulation alone.

Global DNA methylation analysis of human atherosclerotic plaques reveals extensive genomic hypomethylation and reactivation at imprinted locus 14q32 involving induction of a miRNA cluster.

Aims: We conducted a genome-wide analysis to identify differentially methylated genes in atherosclerotic lesions.

Methods: DNA methylation at promoters, exons and introns was identified by massive parallel sequencing. Gene expression was analysed by microarrays, qPCR, immunohistochemistry and western blots.

Preoperative white matter lesions are independent predictors of long-term survival after internal carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) predict long-term survival of conservatively treated acute stroke patients with etiology other than carotid stenosis. In carotid endarterectomy patients, WMLs are associated with severe carotid stenosis and unstable plaques, with the risk of perioperative complications and with increased 30-day perioperative risk of death. However, no data exist on their effect on postoperative long-term survival, a factor important when considering the net benefit from carotid endarterectomy.

Effect of probiotic fermented milk on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Previous studies have suggested that probiotic fermented milk may possess blood pressure (BP)-lowering properties. In the present study, we aimed to systematically examine the effect of probiotic fermented milk on BP by conducting a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PubMed, Cochrane library and the ClinicalTrials.

Recombination of replicon and helper RNAs and the emergence of propagation-competent vectors upon Sindbis virus vector production.

Sindbis vectors have shown remarkable antitumor efficacy and tumor-targeting capacity in animal models and hold promise for cancer therapy. Different packaging systems are used to produce propagation-incompetent Sindbis vectors. However, the vectors produced using either DH-BB single helper RNA or split helper RNA can spread in permissive cell cultures.

Effect of triclosan-coated sutures on the incidence of surgical wound infection after lower limb revascularization surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Surgical wound infection (SWI) is a common complication after peripheral vascular surgery. In a prospective study, triclosan-coated sutures were reported to decrease the incidence of surgical site infection after various surgical procedures. The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that use of triclosan-coated sutures decreases the incidence of SWI after lower limb vascular surgery.

Supplemental postoperative oxygen in the prevention of surgical wound infection after lower limb vascular surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Surgical wound infection (SWI) is a common complication after peripheral vascular surgery. Infections increase morbidity and costs of treatment. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that supplemental postoperative oxygen decreases the incidence of SWI after lower limb revascularization.

High-energy phosphotransfer in the failing mouse heart: role of adenylate kinase and glycolytic enzymes.

Aims: To measure the activity of the key phosphotransfer enzymes creatine kinase (CK), adenylate kinase (AK), and glycolytic enzymes in two common mouse models of chronic heart failure.

Methods And Results: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC), myocardial infarction induced by coronary artery ligation (CAL), or sham operation. Activities of phosphotransfer enzymes CK, AK, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), and pyruvate kinase were assessed spectrophotometrically.

[Endovascular treatment of carotid and vertebral arteries].

Balloon angioplasty and stenting of extracranial carotid artery stenosis can be considered for symptomatic patients, if surgery carries an excessive risk or is contraindicated, if the location of the stenosis is inaccessible to surgical procedures, or the neck is scarred or damaged by radiation therapy. The indications of vertebrobasilar stenosis have not become established, but the treatment has been applied in TIA cases of the vertebrobasilar region, when the patient has presented symptoms of disturbances of cerebral circulation and there has been an at least 70 percent stenosis of the dominant vertebral artery.

Inferior mesenteric artery embolization before endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm: effect on type II endoleak and aneurysm shrinkage.

Purpose: To evaluate the value of preoperative embolization of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) before endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Materials And Methods: From January 2000 to October 2006, 79 patients (mean age, 72.3 years; 69 men) scheduled for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) were found to have a patent IMA at computed tomography.

Risk prediction in patients undergoing elective endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate three risk scoring methods in predicting outcome after elective endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Design: A Zenith stent graft was employed in 205 patients during years 2001-2005.

Results: The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 2.