Sympathetic nerve activity following Acute Type B Aortic Dissection: a pilot study.

Introduction Control of blood pressure following acute type B aortic dissection usually requires sympatholytic antihypertensive medication. Although sympathetic nerve activity is central to blood pressure control, its role in the hypertensive response to acute aortic dissection has not been assessed. Methods A prospective pilot study was performed over an 18-month period.

Long term surgical outcomes following renal transplantation in Aotearoa New Zealand: the South Island Chapter.

Background: Over the last decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of patients diagnosed with end stage renal failure (ESRF). Renal transplant remains the best available treatment for ESRF. The aim of this study is to assess the surgical outcomes following renal transplantation in a single tertiary centre in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Early Relative Growth Rate of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Future Risk of Rupture or Repair.

Objective: This study aimed to test whether the relative growth rate of subthreshold abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in the first 24 months of surveillance predicts the risk of future rupture or repair.

Methods: This was a single centre retrospective observational analysis of all small (< 45 mm diameter) and medium (45 - 54 mm in men, 45 - 50 mm in women) AAAs entered into ultrasound surveillance between January 2002 and December 2019, which received ≥ 24 months of surveillance. Relative growth rates were calculated from measurements taken in the first 24 months of surveillance.

Ex-vivo atherosclerotic plaque characterization using spectral photon-counting CT: Comparing material quantification to histology.

Background And Aims: Atherosclerotic plaques are characterized as being vulnerable to rupture based on a series of histologically defined features, including a lipid-rich necrotic core, spotty calcification and ulceration. Existing imaging modalities have limitations in their ability to distinguish between different materials and structural features. We examined whether X-ray spectral photon-counting computer tomography (SPCCT) images were able to distinguish key plaque features in a surgically excised specimen from the carotid artery with comparison to histological images.

Components of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in spectral photon-counting CT with histopathologic comparison.

Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of spectral photon-counting CT (SPCCT) in quantifying fibrous cap (FC) thickness, FC area, and lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) area, in excised carotid atherosclerotic plaques by comparing it with histopathological measurements.

Methods: This is a single-center ex vivo cross-sectional observational study. Excised plaques of 20 patients (71 +/- 6 years; 13 men), obtained from carotid endarterectomy were scanned with SPCCT using standardized acquisition settings (120k Vp/19 μA; 7-18 keV, 18-30 keV, 30-45 keV, 45-75 keV, and 75-118 keV).

Breeding oat for resistance to the crown rust pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae: achievements and prospects.

Crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca), is a significant impediment to global oat production.

In their own words: Topic analysis of the motivations and strategies of over 6,000 long-term weight-loss maintainers.

Objective: This study aimed to identify major themes of a large cohort experiencing long-term weight-loss maintenance who answered open-ended questions about weight-loss triggers, current motivations, strategies, and experiences.

Methods: Machine learning and topic modeling were used to analyze responses to six open-ended questions among 6,139 WW International, Inc., (formerly Weight Watchers) members with weight-loss maintenance; inclusion criteria included ≥9.

Factors associated with food choice among long-term weight loss maintainers.

Background: The present study aimed to examine motivations for food choice among long-term weight loss maintainers (WLM) in a widely used commercial weight management program.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed where determinants of food choice were measured in the USA using validated scales: Food Choice Questionnaire, Consideration of Future Consequences, and Eating in the Absence of Hunger. Participants were 3806 WLM following a commercial weight management program (WW International, Inc.

A systematic review of pharmacologic and cell-based therapies for treatment of lymphedema (2010-2021).

Background: Lymphedema describes the accumulation of interstitial fluid that results from lymphatic failure. Lymphedema can be of primary or secondary origin and has been estimated to affect 200 million people worldwide. Secondary lymphedema is commonly due to damage to the lymphatic vessels after surgical procedures.

Sitting Time, Type, and Context Among Long-Term Weight-Loss Maintainers.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate sitting time, the home sedentary environment, and physical activity among weight-loss maintainers in WW (formerly Weight Watchers).

Methods: Participants were 4,305 weight-loss maintainers who had maintained ≥9.1 kg of weight loss (24.

Timeliness and outcomes of carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis: a single centre audit.

Background: For patients presenting with symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) surgery is recommended to be performed generally within a 48-hr to 14-day window. This study aimed to assess timeliness of delivery, and outcomes, of CEA surgery in a tertiary vascular centre.

Method: Patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis who underwent CEA between 1 June 2014 and 31 June 2017 were identified and data were obtained from hospital records.

An exploratory study of vibration therapy on muscle function in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Objective: The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine whether a single session of vibration therapy (VT) would improve muscular and functional performance in individuals with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: In a randomized, balanced cross-over design fourteen PAD participants with intermittent claudication (mean ± standard deviation; age, 73.9 ± 4.

Health gains, costs and cost-effectiveness of a population-based screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture carries a high fatality rate. AAAs can be detected before rupture by abdominal ultrasound imaging, allowing elective repair. Population-based screening for AAA in older men reduces AAA-related mortality by about 40 per cent.

Development and Validation of a Predictive Model to Aid in the Management of Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Objective/background: Predicting outcomes prior to elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (AAA) requires critical decision making, as the treatment offered is a prophylactic procedure to prevent death from a ruptured AAA. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a model that may predict outcomes for patients with an AAA and hence aid in clinical decision making.

Methods: A discrete event simulation model was built to simulate the natural history of a patient with an AAA and to predict the 30 day and 2-5 year survival of patients undergoing treatment and surveillance.

Induced macrophage activation in live excised atherosclerotic plaque.

Atherosclerotic plaques are complex tissues containing many different cell types. Macrophages contribute to inflammation, formation of the necrotic core, and plaque rupture. We examined whether macrophages in plaque can be activated and compared this to monolayer cells.

Survival Disparity Following Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Highlights Inequality in Ethnic and Socio-economic Status.

Objectives: Socio-economic status (SES) and ethnicity have been reported as markers influencing the likelihood of increased mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate how SES and ethnicity impacted patient survival after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing open and endovascular AAA repair during a 14.

Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Identifies Four New Disease-Specific Risk Loci.

Rationale: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors. Together, 6 previously identified risk loci only explain a small proportion of the heritability of AAA.

Objective: To identify additional AAA risk loci using data from all available genome-wide association studies.

Does the diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysm influence late survival following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Studies reporting the influence of preoperative abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter on late survival following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair have not been consistent.

Aim: To report the influence of abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter on overall long-term survival following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Methods: Embase, Medline and the Cochrane electronic databases were searched to identify articles reporting the influence of abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter on late survival following open aneurysm repair and endovascular aneurysm repair published up to April 2015.

Management of Modifiable Vascular Risk Factors Improves Late Survival following Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The main determinants of survival following abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair are preexisting risk factors rather than the method of repair chosen. The main aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the effect of modifiable risk factors on late survival following AAA repair.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant articles reporting the influence of modifiable risk factors on long-term survival (≥1 year) following elective open aneurysm repair and endovascular aneurysm repair.

Rapid access carotid endarterectomy: winning the RACE following a natural disaster.

Aims: Rapid access carotid endarterectomy (RACE) is the gold standard for stroke prevention in symptomatic patients with 50-99% internal carotid artery stenosis. Diagnosis and referral of eligible patients may be delayed by disruption to local health services. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether service provision was maintained at an appropriate standard (<2 weeks) following a natural disaster.

The impact of CT colonography on abdominal aortic aneurysm referrals in a tertiary hospital.

Introduction: Computed tomography colonography (CTC) for the detection of colorectal disease is gaining popularity as an alternative to colonoscopy. This has been associated with an increase in incidental extra-colonic findings such as abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, due to the patient selection process of obtaining a CTC, it was hypothesised that this patient cohort might represent a high-risk group.