Reversibility of the Enlargement of the Pulmonary Artery in COVID-19 Pneumonia as a Marker of Remission of the Disease.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is associated with extensive pulmonary microangiopathy and the enlargement of the pulmonary artery (PA), while its progression after the remission of the disease has not been investigated yet. The aim was to assess the diametral increase in the PA in COVID-19 pneumonia, as revealed on chest computed tomography (CT), and further investigate its progression. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, without prior history of pulmonary hypertension, who underwent CT pulmonary angiography before, during, and after the infection.

The foot drawing method: reliability of measuring foot length and outward rotation in children with clubfoot.

Background: The Ponseti method is the gold standard for clubfoot treatment. However, relapse and residual gait deviations are common, and follow-up until 7 years of age is recommended. We evaluated the reliability of the foot drawing method, a new instrument for the follow-up of clubfoot.

Development of foot length in children with congenital clubfoot up to 7 years of age: a prospective follow-up study.

Background: Clubfeet are typically shorter than normal feet. This study aimed first to describe the development of foot length in a consecutive series of children with congenital clubfoot and second to relate foot length to development of relapse and motion quality.

Methods: Foot length was measured every 6 months in 72 consecutive children with congenital clubfoot (29 bilateral) aged from 2 to 7 years.

Correlations between the Gait Profile Score and standard clinical outcome measures in children with idiopathic clubfoot.

Background: Measures of overall gait deviations such as the Gait Profile Score (GPS) and the Gait Variable Score (GVS) are used to evaluate gait in clinical practice and for research purposes. In the clinical setting, gait deviations are often visually assessed and classified using structured protocols such as the Clubfoot Assessment Protocol (CAP).

Research Question: Determine the relationship between measures of overall gait deviations and clinical assessments.

Evaluation of gait, relapse and compliance in clubfoot treatment with custom-made orthoses.

Relapse after successful initial correction of idiopathic clubfoot with the Ponseti method is often related to poor compliance with the foot abduction orthosis (FAO). The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment with custom-made dynamic orthoses. Twenty children with idiopathic clubfoot (30feet) who had been treated with dynamic orthoses after the correction phase according to the Ponseti casting technique were evaluated.

Mitigation measures for chromium-VI contaminated groundwater - The role of endophytic bacteria in rhizofiltration.

A constructed wetland pilot with Juncus acutus L. plants was investigated for its rhizofiltration efficiency in treating Cr(VI)-contaminated groundwater. Measurements of Cr(VI) and total Cr were performed to estimate the rate of removal.

Metal phytoremediation by the halophyte Limoniastrum monopetalum (L.) Boiss: two contrasting ecotypes.

The phytoremediation potential of the halophyte Limoniastrum monopetalum for the removal of Cd and Pb from polluted sites is assessed in this work. Two pot experiments were conducted; the first with wild L. monopetalum grown on soil polluted with Cd and Pb irrigated at different salinities, and the second with commonly cultivated ornamental L.

Focal aorto-iliac atherosclerosis amenable to endovascular interventions though considered benign carry a significant risk of cardiovascular mortality: clinical investigation.

Aim: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) manifested as claudication is surprisingly stable regarding limb deterioration but may indicate increased risk for cardiovascular events and death. We examined whether focal atherosclerotic iliac lesions (TransAtlantic InterSociety Consensus for The Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease-TASC II Type A,B) undergoing endovascular procedures indicate a high risk for limb and life and what is the effect of atherosclerotic risk factors in the rate of adverse outcomes.

Methods: We examined patients undergoing iliac endovascular interventions due to TASC II Type A,B lesions causing disabling claudication during a 10-year period.

Halophytes--an emerging trend in phytoremediation.

Halophytic plants are of special interest because these plants are naturally present in environments characterized by an excess of toxic ions, mainly sodium and chloride. Several studies have revealed that these plants may also tolerate other stresses including heavy metals based on the findings that tolerance to salt and to heavy metals may, at least partly, rely on common physiological mechanisms. In addition, it has been shown that salt-tolerant plants may also be able to accumulate metals.

Accuracy of multislice CT angiography for the assessment of in-stent restenoses in the iliac arteries at reduced dose: a phantom study.

Objective: We investigated the potential of low-dose CT angiography for accurate assessment of in-stent restenoses (ISRs) of the iliac artery.

Method: A Rando anthropomorphic phantom (Alderson Research Labs, Stanford, CA), custom-made wax simulating hyperplastic tissue and a nitinol stent were used to simulate a patient with clinically relevant iliac artery ISRs. The cylindrical lumen was filled with a solution of iodine contrast medium diluted in saline, representing a patient's blood during CT angiography.

MDCT angiography assessment of renal artery in-stent restenosis: can we reduce the radiation exposure burden? A feasibility study.

Aim: We explored the feasibility of renal artery multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and detection of in-stent restenosis at low exposure settings.

Patients/methods: Sixteen patients with 19 renal artery stents underwent CT angiography. A biphasic protocol was performed including arteriographic acquisition at standard 120 kVp and a late-arterial scan at 100 kVp (n=9) or 80 kVp (n=7).

The role of geometric parameters in the prediction of abdominal aortic aneurysm wall stress.

Objective: To study the correlation between peak wall stress (PWS) and abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) geometric parameters in the presence of intraluminal thrombus (ILT).

Design: Computational study using finite element analysis.

Material: AAA models were created by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of in vivo acquired computed tomography (CT) images from 19 patients.

Phytoextraction of Pb and Cd by the Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.): metal uptake in relation to salinity.

Background, Aim, And Scope: The success of phytoextraction depends upon the identification of suitable plant species that hyperaccumulate heavy metals and produce large amounts of biomass using established agricultural techniques. In this study, the Mediterranean saltbush Atriplex halimus L., which is a C4 perennial native shrub of Mediterranean basin with an excellent tolerance to drought and salinity, is investigated with the main aim to assess its phytoremediation potential for Pb and Cd removal from contaminated soils.

Endovascular treatment of a ruptured profunda femoral artery branch after fogarty thrombectomy of a femoro-femoral crossover arterial graft: a case report and review of the literature.

We present a very rare case of a life-threatening rupture of a profunda femoral artery distal branch after a Fogarty thrombectomy of a thrombosed crossover synthetic graft between the ipsilateral common femoral artery and a contralateral iliac-popliteal graft; the bleeding profunda femoral artery branch was successfully embolized with metallic coils through the axillary artery approach.

Pb and Cd accumulation and phyto-excretion by salt cedar (Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge).

The accumulation and excretion of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by salt cedar (Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge) were investigated in this study. Tamarix smyrnensis plants were exposed to the mixtures of Pb and Cd and high salinity for 10 wk. Subsequently, Pb and Cd uptake was quantified in the shoots and roots of the plants by ICP-AES.

Preliminary experience with cutting balloon angioplasty for iliac artery in-stent restenosis.

Purpose: To report our preliminary experience using cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) in symptomatic iliac artery in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Methods: Fourteen cases of hemodynamically significant iliac artery ISR (4 common and 10 external) were treated in 12 men (mean age 64 years, range 55-75). Of the 14 stents involved, 8 were balloon-expandable models and 6 were self-expanding.

Late migration of two covered biliary stents through a spontaneous bilioenteric fistula in a patient with malignant biliary obstruction.

We report a case of simultaneous late migration of two ePTFE-FEP covered biliary endoprostheses (Viabil, W.L. Gore, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) that were percutaneously implanted for the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice.

Phytoextraction and phytoexcretion of Cd by the leaves of Tamarix smyrnensis growing on contaminated non-saline and saline soils.

Phytoremediation and more specifically phytoextraction, is an alternative restoration strategy for the clean up of heavy metal contaminated soils. Phytoextraction can only be successful if suitable plant species colonize the contaminated area, extract the toxic substances and accumulate them in their above ground tissues. In this study, the salt cedar Tamarix smyrnensis that is a widespread salt-tolerant plant in the Mediterranean region has been investigated.

A decoupled fluid structure approach for estimating wall stress in abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized dilatation of the aortic wall. The lack of an accurate AAA rupture risk index remains an important problem in the clinical management of the disease. To accurately estimate AAA rupture risk, detailed information on patient-specific wall stress distribution and aortic wall tissue yield stress is required.

Degradation of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate in water by ultrasonic irradiation.

The potential of using ultrasonic irradiation for the removal of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) from aqueous solutions has been investigated. Experiments were performed at initial concentrations of 15, 30 and 100 mgl(-1), ultrasonic frequencies of 20 and 80 kHz, applied power values of 45, 75 and 150 W and liquid bulk temperatures of 20, 40 and 60 degrees C. At the conditions in question, SDBS conversion was found to decrease with increasing temperature and initial solute concentration and decreasing power and frequency.