Open-cell versus closed-cell stent design differences in blood flow velocities after carotid stenting.

Objective: The differential effect of open-cell vs closed-cell stent design configuration on carotid velocities detected by duplex ultrasound (DUS) imaging has not been established. To identify possible stent design differences in carotid velocities, we analyzed DUS studies obtained before and immediately after carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Methods: In a series of 141 CAS procedures performed during a 3-year period, data from the first postinterventional DUS images and carotid angiograms were evaluated for each patient.

A new direction for manganese homeostasis in bacteria: identification of a novel efflux system in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The ability to control intracellular levels of transition metals such as Mn(2+), Fe(2+) and Zn(2+) is critical for the virulence of many pathogenic bacteria. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Rosch et al. describe the first identification of a Mn(2+) efflux system in bacteria, MntE of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and demonstrate that it is required for virulence in an animal model.

Secondary aortoenteric fistulas versus paraprosthetic erosions: is bleeding associated with a worse outcome?

Background: Direct communication between an aortic prosthesis and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may present with GI bleeding (aortoenteric fistulas [AEF]) or be incidental to a graft infection (paraprosthetic erosions [PPE]). The purposes of this study were to compare the outcomes of AEF versus PPE and to determine predictors of mortality associated with these lesions.

Study Design: Since 1992, 38 patients (23 men, 15 women; mean age 67 years) presented with AEF (n=16) or PPE (n=22).

Release of Pb(II) from monochloramine-mediated reduction of lead oxide (PbO2).

A contributing factor causing the sudden release of excessive lead into drinking water is believed to involve the change in redox conditions occurring when monochloramine (NH2Cl) replaces free chlorine as a disinfectant. Studies suggest that NH2Cl cannot effectively oxidize Pb(II) to form PbO2, a Pb(IV) mineral scale formed from the oxidation of metallic lead and Pb(II) species by free chlorine. Unexpectedly, we observed that NH2Cl is actually capable of reducing PbO2 to form Pb(II).

Sex differences in the relationship between obesity, C-reactive protein, physical activity, depression, sleep quality and fatigue in older adults.

Fatigue is a serious health concern in the elderly. Sex differences exist in adiposity, systemic inflammation, physical activity/fitness and fatigue; however, the relations among these variables remain inadequately characterized impeding the development of fatigue prevention strategies. Measures of adiposity, C-reactive protein, physical activity, aerobic fitness, fatigue, sleep quality and depression were obtained from 127 community-dwelling older adults.

Mechanisms of mammalian zinc-regulated gene expression.

Mechanisms through which gene expression is regulated by zinc are central to cellular zinc homoeostasis. In this context, evidence for the involvement of zinc dyshomoeostasis in the aetiology of diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and cancer, highlights the importance of zinc-regulated gene expression. Mechanisms elucidated in bacteria and yeast provide examples of different possible modes of zinc-sensitive gene regulation, involving the zinc-regulated binding of transcriptional activators and repressors to gene promoter regions.

Percutaneous access for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: can selection criteria be expanded?

Previous reports suggest that percutaneous access for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (P-EVAR) is as safe as open access (O-EVAR) in patients with favorable femoral anatomy. Severe femoral artery calcification and obesity have been considered relative contraindications to P-EVAR, but these criteria have not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to assess the postoperative anatomic changes associated with P-EVAR versus O-EVAR using three-dimensional (3-D) computed tomographic (CT) reconstruction and to evaluate the overall results of the two procedures in a group of patients with suboptimal femoral anatomy.

Utility and accuracy of duplex ultrasonography in evaluating in-stent restenosis after carotid stenting.

Background: Stents alter flow velocities after carotid artery stenting (CAS). To identify criteria for in-stent restenosis (ISR), velocities obtained by duplex ultrasonography (DU) after CAS were analyzed.

Methods: Carotid angiography and DU were performed after 129 CAS procedures.

Analysis of differential gene-regulatory responses to zinc in human intestinal and placental cell lines.

Transcriptomic studies are useful for elucidating molecular mechanisms through which changes in nutrient availability produce pleiotropic effects on whole-body and tissue physiology. To further the knowledge of gene-regulatory effects of Zn on tissues important for adult and fetal Zn nutrition, we analysed the responses of human intestinal Caco-2 and placental JAR cells to changes in Zn supply. Analysis of oligonucleotide microarrays demonstrated that, despite the analogous roles of the two tissues in nutrient transfer, different genes respond to changes in Zn availability in intestinal cells compared with placental cells.

Epstein-Barr virus-encoded EBNA1 modulates the AP-1 transcription factor pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and enhances angiogenesis in vitro.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded EBNA1 protein is expressed in all virus-associated tumours, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), where it plays an essential role in EBV genome maintenance, replication and transcription. Previous studies suggest that EBNA1 may have additional effects relevant to oncogenesis, including enhancement of cell survival, raising the possibility that EBNA1 may influence cellular gene expression. We have recently demonstrated by gene expression microarray profiling in an NPC cell model that EBNA1 influences the expression of a range of cellular genes, including those involved in transcription, translation and cell signalling.

Influence of age, aneurysm size, and patient fitness on suitability for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Prior to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of larger endografts (main body diameters up to 36 mm), small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs, <5.

Stronger relationship between central adiposity and C-reactive protein in older women than men.

Objective: Cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity, especially central adiposity, have consistently been associated with circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), particularly in aging women. The purpose of this study was to determine the sex-specific independent relationships between physical activity, fitness, central and whole body adiposity, and CRP in sedentary older adults.

Design: Cross-sectional study on sedentary, healthy, community-dwelling older adults (age, mean +/- SD; 70.

Intraobserver reliability of angular and linear measurements of scapular position in subjects with and without symptoms.

Objective: To assess intraobserver reliability of angular and linear clinical measurements of scapular position.

Design: Test-retest analyses.

Setting: Outpatient department in National Health Service teaching hospital in the United Kingdom.

The influence of the pre-oxidation of natural organic matter on the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

NDMA is a recently recognized disinfection byproduct that can be formed by a reaction of monochloramine with natural organic matter (NOM). This study was undertaken to examine the influence of various preoxidation strategies (including prechlorination) on the subsequent formation of NDMA and to determine how this is correlated to the subsequent loss in specific UV absorbance (SUVA) that preoxidation causes. Batch experiments were conducted using surface-water-derived NOM exposed to various oxidants that included free chlorine, permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, and ozone.

Influence of carbohydrate-protein beverage on cycling endurance and indices of muscle disruption.

Unlabelled: Carbohydrate-protein (CHO+Pro) beverages reportedly improve endurance and indices of muscle disruption, but it is unclear whether these effects are related to total energy intake or specific effects of protein.

Purpose: The authors examined effects of CHO+Pro on time to exhaustion and markers of muscle disruption compared with placebo (PLA) and carbohydrate beverages matched for carbohydrate (CHO) and total calories (CHO+CHO).

Methods: Eleven male cyclists completed 4 rides to exhaustion at 75% VO2peak.

Associations of visceral adiposity and exercise participation with C-reactive protein, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction in Korean healthy adults.

The aim of the current study was to examine the associations of visceral adiposity and exercise participation with C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction in Korean adults selected from the general population. We studied 160 Korean adults (aged 41.3 +/- 13.

A prospective controlled trial of pulsed nasal nebulizer in maximally dissected cadavers.

Background: Nasal douching is common practice in treatment of chronic sinusitis and after endoscopic sinus surgery. Current nasal delivery techniques show inconsistent sinus penetration. The aim of this study was to compare sinonasal penetration of nasal douching to an optimized nasal nebulizer in an operated cadaver model.

Neoaortoiliac reconstructions using femoropopliteal veins: MDCT angiography findings.

Objective: In this article, we discuss the neoaortoiliac system procedure, a surgical procedure that uses femoropopliteal vein segments for arterial reconstructions in patients with aortofemoral prosthetic graft infections.

Conclusion: CT angiography (CTA) is a powerful imaging tool that can be used in the follow-up of patients after this complex surgery. CTA accurately detects early and late complications that may develop after the neoaortoiliac system procedure.

Factors related to attrition in surgery residency based on application data.

Objective: To determine whether variables in the surgery resident selection process will predict attrition or performance during residency training.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: A university residency program.

Trends and outcomes of concurrent carotid revascularization and coronary bypass.

Background: The management of concurrent carotid and coronary artery disease is controversial. Although single-center observational studies have revealed acceptable outcomes of combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), community-based outcomes have been substantially inferior. Recently, carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been introduced for the management of high-risk patients with carotid stenosis, including those with severe coronary artery disease.

Reduction of lead oxide (PbO2) by iodide and formation of iodoform in the PbO2/I(-)/NOM system.

Lead oxide (PbO2) can be an important form of lead mineral scale occurring in some water distribution systems. It is believed to be formed by the oxidation of lead-containing plumbing materials by free chlorine. Its reactivity in water, however, has not been well studied.

Operative mortality for renal artery bypass in the United States: Results from the National Inpatient Sample.

Background: The mortality rate for renal artery bypass grafting (RABG) is reported to be 0% to 4% for patients with renovascular hypertension and 4% to 7% for patients with ischemic nephropathy. However, these data come from high-volume referral centers known for their expertise in treating these conditions. Because of the relative infrequency of these operations in most vascular surgery practices, the nationwide outcomes for RABG are not known.

The release of lead from the reduction of lead oxide (PbO2) by natural organic matter.

PbO2 has been identified as an important scale in some distribution systems that historically use lead service lines and free chlorine for maintaining a disinfectant residual. The stability of this highly insoluble scale with respect to its reductive dissolution may play an important role in lead release into drinking water. In this study, we investigated the release of lead from a commercially available PbO2 in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) using a hydrophobic acid extracted from the Iowa River.