Distal Endovascular Extension After FET: Short and Mid-Term Outcome in a High-Volume Single-Center Experience.

Background: This study aims to investigate results and outcomes of distal endovascular extensions after frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure.

Methods: Between September 2018 and December 2022, all consecutive patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) or complex thoraco-abdominal repair (TAA-EVAR) after FET were included in the study. Patients were assigned to "Aneurysm" group or to "Dissection" group according to underlying patology before FET repair.

Optimizing Femoral Access in Emergency EVAR with a Decision-Making Algorithm.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the preferred approach over open repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) due to its minimally invasive nature. The common femoral artery (CFA) is the main access vessel for EVAR, with both surgical exposure and percutaneous access being utilized. However, in emergent cases, percutaneous access can be challenging and may result in complications such as bleeding or dissection thrombosis, leading to the need for surgical conversion.

A Robotized Raspberry-Based System for Pothole 3D Reconstruction and Mapping.

Repairing potholes is a task for municipalities to prevent serious road user injuries and vehicle damage. This study presents a low-cost, high-performance pothole monitoring system to maintain urban roads. The authors developed a methodology based on photogrammetry techniques to predict the pothole's shape and volume.

Improving stress management, anxiety, and mental well-being in medical students through an online Mindfulness-Based Intervention: a randomized study.

Pressures and responsibilities of medical school put a strain on medical student's personal wellbeing, leading among all to high rates of anxiety, emotional discomfort and stress. In this work we evaluated the effectiveness of a comprehensive Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) in reducing this load. The intervention comprised 10 twice-a-week Integral Meditation classes, dietary advice, and brief yoga sessions.

Oncological outcomes of whole-gland cryoablation in patients with prostate cancer and high risk of lymph node invasion.

Purpose: Prostate cryoablation has been proposed as an alternative to radical prostatectomy for men with localized prostate cancer (PCa); however, it is limited by the lack of data regarding oncological outcomes and the impossibility of performing a lymph node dissection. The aim of this study was to assess if whole-gland cryoablation is oncologically safe, especially for patients in whom pelvic lymph node dissection would be necessary.

Materials And Methods: After institutional review board approval, we identified 102 patients who underwent whole-gland prostate cryoablation between 2013 and April 2019.

A Scoping Review on the Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Proximal Neck Dilatation after Standard and Complex Endovascular Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

To define proximal neck dilation (PND) after standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and fenestrated EVAR (FEVAR), determining: incidence and risk factors; evidence base that links PND to outcomes of patients; recurring themes or gaps in the literature. We performed a scoping review and included only full-text English articles with follow-up focusing on PND in patients undergoing EVAR or FEVAR, published between 2000 and 2022. The following PICO question was used to build the search equation: in patients with abdominal-aortic-aneurysm (AAA) (Population) undergoing endovascular repair (Intervention), what are the incidence, risk factors and prognosis of radiologically defined PND (Comparison) on short-term and long-term outcomes (Outcomes)? 15 articles were included after review.

Experimental Analysis of Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) Mixtures with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in Railway Sub-Ballast.

Environmental safeguards promote innovative construction technologies for sustainable pavements. On these premises, this study investigated four hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures-i.e.

Beneficial Effects of an Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Sleep Quality in Italian Poor Sleepers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Trial.

Sleep of inadequate quantity and quality is increasing in the present 24 h society, with a negative impact on physical and mental health. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) generate a state of calm behavior that can reduce hyperactivity and improve sleep. We hypothesized that our specific MBI, administered online, may improve sleep quality and foster emotion regulation and mindfulness.

Pavement Distress Estimation via Signal on Graph Processing.

A comprehensive representation of the road pavement state of health is of great interest. In recent years, automated data collection and processing technology has been used for pavement inspection. In this paper, a new signal on graph (SoG) model of road pavement distresses is presented with the aim of improving automatic pavement distress detection systems.

Prediction of long-term mortality for patients with severe asymptomatic de novo carotid stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy (PREMYSE-CEA): Derivation and validation of a novel risk score.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a risk prediction model for the prediction of long-term mortality for patients with severe asymptomatic de novo carotid stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy (PREMYSE-CEA).

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from a dedicated database of consecutive patients who had undergone elective CEA for severe (>70% using the NASCET [North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial] criteria) asymptomatic carotid stenosis at two Italian University Hospitals from 2008 through 2016. Internal validation of the score was performed after random sampling in a 3:1 fashion.

Development of a GIS-Based Methodology for the Management of Stone Pavements Using Low-Cost Sensors.

Stone pavements are present in many cities and their historical and cultural importance is well recognized. However, there are no standard monitoring methods for this type of pavement that allow road managers to define appropriate maintenance strategies. In this study, a novel method is proposed in order to monitor the road surface conditions of stone pavements in a quick and easy way.

Online Short-Term Mindfulness-Based Intervention During COVID-19 Quarantine in Italy: Effects on Wellbeing, Stress, and Anxiety.

To limit the first spread of COVID-19 in March 2020, the Italian government imposed strict lockdown measures to the population. Despite necessary to reduce the virus transmission and the burden to the hospitals, social isolation has caused detrimental effects on psychological wellbeing and mental health. Moreover, during this period, it was also difficult to deliver psychological treatments and psychiatric assistance.

One-Day Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Biparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Digital Pathology by Fluorescence Confocal Microscopy.

In this prospective observational study, we tested the feasibility and efficacy of a novel one-day PCa diagnosis path based on biparametric magnetic resonance (bpMRI) and digital pathology by fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM). Patients aged 55-70 years scheduled for PBx due to increased PSA levels (3-10 ng/mL) and/or abnormal digitorectal examination were enrolled. All patients underwent bpMRI and PBx with immediate FCM evaluation of biopsy cores.

Mindfulness meditation training in an occupational setting: Effects of a 12-weeks mindfulness-based intervention on wellbeing.

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are known for their beneficial effects on positive and negative psychological factors. When applied in an occupational context, MBIs might help workers to cope with stress, increase their professional outcomes and wellbeing.

Objective: In this two-groups pre-post experimental design we tested the effect of our MBI, called Integral Meditation (IM), among the employers of an Italian service company by measuring positive and negative aspects of psychological wellbeing related to mindfulness and workplace functioning through eight self-report questionnaires (CORE-OM, FFMQ, WEMWBS, MAIA, PSS, PANAS, STAI-X1, SCS).

Bioptic prostatic inflammation correlates with false positive rates of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer.

Introduction: The aim of this article was to determine the impact of bioptic prostatic inflammation (PI) on the false positive rate of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) in detecting clinically significant prostate ancer (csPCa).

Material And Methods: Our prostate biopsy database was queried to identify patients who underwent mp-MRI before PB at our institution. A dedicated uropathologist prospectively assessed bioptic PI using the Irani scores.

Technical Proposal for Monitoring Thermal and Mechanical Stresses of a Runway Pavement.

Airport pavements should ensure regular and safe movements during their service life; the management body has to monitor the functional and structural characteristics, and schedule maintenance work, balancing the often conflicting goals of safety, economic and technical issues. This paper presents a remote monitoring system to evaluate the structural performance of a runway composed of concrete thresholds and a flexible central runway. Thermometers, strain gauges, and pressure cells will be embedded at different depths to continuously monitor the pavement's response to traffic and environmental loads.

Preoperative Risk Factors for Access Site Failure in Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Treatment of TASC C and D Aorto-Iliac Occlusive Disease.

Background: At our institution, we adopted routinely ultrasound guided approach for all percutaneous procedures. The objective of this study was to describe the predictors of access site failures (ASFs) in patients undergoing percutaneous aorto iliac revascularization and to also evaluate whether other factors such as time period or different vascular devices may influence outcomes in terms of ASFs.

Methods: We reviewed all consecutive percutaneous revascularizations performed for aortoiliac occlusion or stenosis at our institution from 2011 to 2020.

Intraoperative Digital Analysis of Ablation Margins (DAAM) by Fluorescent Confocal Microscopy to Improve Partial Prostate Gland Cryoablation Outcomes.

Partial gland cryoablation (PGC) aims at destroying prostate cancer (PCa) foci while sparing the unaffected prostate tissue and the functionally relevant structures around the prostate. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has boosted PGC, but available evidence suggests that ablation margins may be positive due to MRI-invisible lesions. This study aimed at determining the potential role of intraoperative digital analysis of ablation margins (DAAM) by fluoresce confocal microscopy (FCM) of biopsy cores taken during prostate PGC.

Early and midterm outcomes of hybrid first line treatment in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of first line hybrid treatment in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) and to evaluate possible predictors of primary patency (PP) loss and limb clinical improvement (LCI).

Methods: This was a retrospective non-randomized study. All patients underwent one-stage hybrid common femoral artery (CFA) endarterectomy combined with an inflow and/or outflow endovascular revascularization procedure.

Simultaneous Hybrid Treatment of Multilevel Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Background: Hybrid treatments (HT) aim to reduce conventional open surgery invasiveness and address multilevel peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Herein, the simultaneous HT treatment in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is reported.

Methods: Retrospective analysis, for the period from May 2012 to April 2018, of patients presenting multilevel PAD with CLTI addressed with simultaneous HT.

PSA Density Help to Identify Patients With Elevated PSA Due to Prostate Cancer Rather Than Intraprostatic Inflammation: A Prospective Single Center Study.

The association between PSA density, prostate cancer (PCa) and BPH is well established. The aim of the present study was to establish whether PSA density can be used as a reliable parameter to predict csPCa and to determine its optimal cutoff to exclude increased PSA levels due to intraprostatic inflammation. This is a large prospective single-center, observational study evaluating the role of PSA density in the discrimination between intraprostatic inflammation and clinically significant PCa (csPCa).

Validation of a Low-Cost Pavement Monitoring Inertial-Based System for Urban Road Networks.

Road networks are monitored to evaluate their decay level and the performances regarding ride comfort, vehicle rolling noise, fuel consumption, etc. In this study, a novel inertial sensor-based system is proposed using a low-cost inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a global positioning system (GPS) module, which are connected to a Raspberry Pi Zero W board and embedded inside a vehicle to indirectly monitor the road condition. To assess the level of pavement decay, the comfort index defined by the ISO 2631 standard was used.

Does Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance of Prostate Outperform Risk Calculators in Predicting Prostate Cancer in Biopsy Naïve Patients?

Background: European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines recommend using risk-calculators (RCs), imaging or additional biomarkers in asymptomatic men at risk of prostate cancer (PCa).

Objectives: To compare the performance of mpMRI, a RC we recently developed and two commonly used RC not including mpMRI in predicting the risk of PCa, as well as the added value of mpMRI to each RC.

Design Setting And Participants: Single-center retrospective study evaluating 221 biopsy-naïve patients who underwent prebiopsy mpMRI.