A Comparative Study of Aortic Valve Neocuspidization Techniques: Formula vs. Template Methods of Neocusp Formation.

Introduction: The template method (TM), pioneered by Ozaki for aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo), has been widely adopted for aortic valve replacement, though it requires specialized instruments. This study introduces a novel formula method (FM), which uses the diameter of the aortic valve fibrous ring (AV-D) to determine the dimensions of the neocusps to be trimmed from autologous without the need for templates, potentially reducing costs and complexity. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of the FM with the established TM in patients undergoing AVNeo.

Tips versus Holes: ×10 Higher Scattering in FIB-made Plasmonic Nanoscale Arrays for Spectral Imaging.

Plasmonic nanostructure arrays, designed for performance as pixels in an advanced SERS imaging device, were fabricated by gallium focused ion beam (FIB). Though the FIB is best suited for etching holes and negative structures, our previously reported simulations favor protrusions. Herein, we report on the FIB methodology to "sculpt" positive structures by "ion-blasting" away the surrounding material.

Protecting the Antibacterial Coating of Urinal Catheters for Improving Safety.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are among the most common bacterial infections associated with prolonged hospitalization and increased healthcare expenditures. Despite recent advances in the prevention and treatment of these infections, there are still many challenges remaining, among them the creation of a durable catheter coating, which prevents bacterial biofilm formation. The current work reports on a method of protecting medical tubing endowed with antibiofilm properties.

Case report: Autopericardial aortic valve replacement and mitral homograft implantation in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

Introduction And Importance: Bekhterev's disease, or ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease closely related to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27. Cardiac damage in AS occurs in 2-10 % of patients more commonly as aortic insufficiency, aortitis, mitral valve fibrosis, or cardiac conduction abnormalities.

Case Presentation: In this article we present a clinical case of a 52-year-old female patient with Bekhterev's disease, who underwent aortic valve reconstruction with autopericardium and mitral homograft implantation in mitral position.

Regularities of Microstructure Evolution in a Cu-Cr-Zr Alloy during Severe Plastic Deformation.

The effect of severe plastic deformation by the conforming process of equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE-Conform) followed by cold rolling on the microstructures developed in a Cu-0.1Cr-0.1Zr alloy was investigated.