The chemical composition and sources of road dust, and of tire and road wear particles-A review.

To gain better understanding of how the transition to electric vehicles affects road dust (RD) composition, and potential health and environmental risks, it is crucial to analyze the chemical composition of RD and identify its sources. Sources of RD include wear of tire tread (TT), brake wear (BW) and road wear (RW). A relevant component of RD are tire and road wear particles (TRWPs).

Disorder in P3HT Nanoparticles Probed by Optical Spectroscopy on P3HT--PEG Micelles.

We employ photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy on individual nanoscale aggregates of the conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, at room temperature (RT) and at low temperature (LT) (1.5 K), to unravel different levels of structural and electronic disorder within P3HT nanoparticles. The aggregates are prepared by self-assembly of the block copolymer P3HT--poly(ethylene glycol) (P3HT--PEG) into micelles, with the P3HT aggregates constituting the micelles' core.

Direct observation of backbone planarization via side-chain alignment in single bulky-substituted polythiophenes.

The backbone conformation of conjugated polymers affects, to a large extent, their optical and electronic properties. The usually flexible substituents provide solubility and influence the packing behavior of conjugated polymers in films or in bad solvents. However, the role of the side chains in determining and potentially controlling the backbone conformation, and thus the optical and electronic properties on the single polymer level, is currently under debate.

Low loss optical waveguiding in large single crystals of a thiophene-based oligomer.

Active optical waveguides based on functional small organic molecules in micro/nano regime have attracted great interest for their potential applications in high speed miniaturized photonic integrations. Here, we report on the active waveguiding properties of millimeter sized single crystals of a newly synthesized thiophene-based oligomer. These large crystals exhibit low optical loss compared to other organic nanostructures, and optical losses depend on the emission energy.

TAArget versus EndoFit thoracic stent-grafts in thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a retrospective comparison of early and mid-term results in a single center.

Background: Aim of the study was to compare our early and mid-term results using EndoFit and TAArget thoracic stent-grafts in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 169 consecutive TEVAR cases (69.1±8.

Morphine: An Effective Abortive Therapy for Pediatric Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity After Hypoxic Brain Injury.

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a life-threatening condition characterized by hyperadrenergic activity and autonomic dysfunction. Also termed autonomic storms, PSH can occur after a variety of cerebral insults, most commonly traumatic brain injury. Limited pediatric literature is available, especially in patients with brain injury from hypoxia.

Endovascular repair of proximal para-anastomotic aneurysms after previous open abdominal aortic aneurysm reconstruction.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and durability of endovascular repair for proximal para-anastomotic aneurysms after previous open abdominal aortic aneurysms prosthetic reconstruction and share our experience.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients with previous open abdominal aortic aneurysms prosthetic reconstruction who underwent endovascular repair for proximal para-anastomotic aneurysms between May 2003 and January 2013 in our center (Nuremberg South Hospital). Key clinical outcomes included technical success rate, peri-operative morbidity and mortality, mid-term complications, reinterventions and open conversion rates.

Effects of Carotid Endarterectomy on Cerebral Reperfusion and Cognitive Function in Patients with High Grade Carotid Stenosis: A Perfusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Objective: To investigate the influence of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on cerebral perfusion and cognitive function in patients with internal carotid artery stenosis (ICA).

Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. Shunted patients were excluded.

Endovascular repair of acute uncomplicated aortic type B dissection promotes aortic remodelling: 1 year results of the ADSORB trial.

Objectives: Uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection (AD) treated conservatively has a 10% 30-day mortality and up to 25% need intervention within 4 years. In complicated AD, stent grafts have been encouraging. The aim of the present prospective randomised trial was to compare best medical treatment (BMT) with BMT and Gore TAG stent graft in patients with uncomplicated AD.

Seventeen years' experience of late open surgical conversion after failed endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with 13 variant devices.

Purpose: To investigate the causes and results of late open surgical conversion (LOSC) after failed abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and to summarize our 17 years' experience with 13 various endografts.

Methods: Retrospective data from August 1994 to January 2011 were analyzed at our center. The various devices' implant time, the types of devices, the rates and causes of LOSC, and the procedures and results of LOSC were analyzed and evaluated.

TAArget versus EndoFit thoracic stent-grafts in thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a retrospective comparison of early and mid-term results in a single center.

Aim: Aim of the study was to compare our early and mid-term results using EndoFit and TAArget thoracic stent-grafts in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 169 consecutive TEVAR cases (69.1±8.

Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: indications and results.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is an attractive alternative to open surgical approach in treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). In Nuerenberg in our 14-year experience of 1502 cases (ending December 2007) we used 13 different endografts. The median follow-up was 41 months (1.

Preliminary embolization of the hypogastric artery to expand the applicability of endovascular aneurysm repair.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preliminary hypogastric artery (HA) embolization prior to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all 101 consecutive patients (91 men; mean age 73.4 ± 8.

Collected world and single center experience with endovascular treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: Case and single center reports have documented the feasibility and suggested the effectiveness of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs), but the role and value of such treatment remain controversial.

Objective: To clarify these we examined a collected experience with use of EVAR for RAAA treatment from 49 centers.

Methods: Data were obtained by questionnaires from these centers, updated from 13 centers committed to EVAR treatment whenever possible and included treatment details from a single center and information on 1037 patients treated by EVAR and 763 patients treated by open repair (OR).

Techniques for precise thoracic endograft placement.

Precise endograft placement in the thoracic aorta is challenging due to the special local anatomy and unique hemodynamic blood flow. We are employing many techniques together to launch the endograft precisely to the target location: various debranching techniques to extend the proximal landing zone, magnified imaging with full exposition of the supra-arch branches and the proximal landing area to achieve a clear and accurate view, screen markers of the landing target for guidance of deployment, 1-2 cm proximally to the cranial landing marker before launching in case of any displacement, steady deployment of the endograft in hypotensive status or within the temporary heart asystole period induced by intravenous adenosine administration. If a balloon angioplasty or a proximal cuff is inevitable, the abovementioned techniques should be repeated.

From clinical trials to clinical practice: 612 cases treated with the Powerlink stent-graft for endovascular repair of AAA.

Aim: Most endovascular stent-grafts in endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) are designed to deploy from the renal artery level down to the iliac level. The Powerlink device (Endologix Inc, Irvine, Calif) can be deployed from the iliac level up to the renal artery level. The aim of this study was to summarize our clinical experience of EVAR using the Powerlink device.

Two-year single-center experience with thoracic endovascular aortic repair using the EndoFit thoracic stent-graft.

Purpose: To analyze our single-center experience of thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) using the EndoFit Thoracic Aortic Endograft.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 87 consecutive patients (64 men; median age 67.8+/-8.

Experience with the Endologix Powerlink endograft in endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms with short and angulated necks.

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) for anatomically suitable abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has gained wide acceptance in the past decade, and EVAR for anatomically challenging or unsuitable AAAs such as short and angulated neck AAAs has become a hotly debated subject. The objective of this study is to summarize the unique experience of EVAR for short / angulated neck AAAs with Powerlink unibody bifurcated stent-graft. Data were retrospectively analyzed from 519 patients in our single unit from February 1999 to December 2007 who underwent EVAR using the Powerlink endograft, and had short or angulated necks.

[Experiences and results with the Endologix-bifurcated endovascular graft].

Since the first endograft implantation for treatment of abdominal aneurysms the development of modern stentgrafts has progressed in many ways. In 1999 we started implantations using the PowerLink aortic stent graft by Endologix-company. The PowerLink aortic stent graft is a bifurcated, self-expanding, sutureless endovascular graft, covered with PTFE.

[Midterm results after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in the elderly].

During the past decade, endovascular aneurysm stent graft repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms has emerged as a less invasive and less burdening alternative to open surgical repair. We hypothesize that EVAR may become the treatment method of choice among elderly patients. During a 7-year-period, EVAR was performed in 654 patients at our institution.

Seven years' single center experience of Powerlink unibody bifurcated endograft for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Aim: To assess the 7-year results of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair using the Powerlink unibody bifurcated endovascular stent-graft in our single center.

Methods: A prospective, nonrandomized trial was conducted in our unit within 7 years. Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) was planned, performed and followed-up by a fixed endovascular specialized group, including 2 vascular surgeons and 1 interventional radiologist.