Активность

Volumetric changes in the aneurysm sac were evaluated following endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in intact abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients who underwent EVAR.

Fifty-two patients, who underwent EVAR from 2015 to 2019, were analysed retrospectively. A total of 158 computed tomography angiography scans was examined by performing reconsctructive volumetric calculations. Total aneurysm volume (TAV), patent lumen volume (PLV) and thrombuscoated aneurysm wall volume (TCAWV) were calculated. The results obtained at six, 12 and 24 months postoperatively were compared with those of the pre-operative period.

Mean TAV had regressed 7% by the sixth month (

= 0.1), 27% by the 12th month (

= 0.0003) and 19% by the 24th month (

= 0.0008). Mean TCAWV had increased 2% by the sixth month (

= 0.3), and regressed 26% by the 12th month (

= 0.3) and 14% by the 24th month (

= 0.8). Mean PLV had regressed by 20% by the sixth month (

= 0.008), 29% by the 12th month (

= 0.0002) and 26% by the 24th month (

= 0.0006). For each individual proximal, middle and distal measurement, regression was observed at six and 12 months; however, an increase was observed at 24 months compared to the previous follow ups.

The expansion measurements of TAV in the 24th month support the doubts on the medium- to long-term results of EVAR. The largest regression in the aneurysm sac was observed in the distal portion, then in the proximal portion, and the least regression was observed in the middle section.

The expansion measurements of TAV in the 24th month support the doubts on the medium- to long-term results of EVAR. The largest regression in the aneurysm sac was observed in the distal portion, then in the proximal portion, and the least regression was observed in the middle section.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a prophylactic operation that is used to mitigate the risk of stroke caused by embolism of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid bifurcation. Previously, the large, multicentre, randomised, controlled GALA study found no significant differences in clinical outcomes between patients treated using general or local anaesthesia. Glycochenodeoxycholic acid While this study provided important insights into disease outcomes based on treatment modalities, it did not answer questions regarding the safety of CEA under local anaesthesia in patients at high risk for cardiovascular complications. Here, we examined the use of two different management plans in patients requiring both carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in terms of their effects on hospital mortality.

Thirty-four patients consecutively operated on in our cardiovascular department were included in this analysis. The patients were divided into two groups based on the anaesthetic management plan. The first group consiste.

Recent evidence suggests that there is a change in the profile of rheumatic mitral regurgitation (MR) in South Africa to a pattern of chronic fibrotic valvular disease.

This study describes the clinical profile of patients with rheumatic MR in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

A retrospective chart review was performed on patients seven years and older with moderate to severe rheumatic MR referred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital from 2006 to 2015.

There were 320 patients meeting the study criteria (mean age 22.2 ± 15.8 years, malefemale 12). Severe dyspnoea was present in 45.9% of patients, heart failure in 117 (36.6%) and atrial fibrillation in 13.8%. Three patients were diagnosed with active carditis at initial presentation and a further 31 had evidence of carditis during follow up. Of the 216 patients who underwent surgery, over one-third (37%) had prolapse of the anterior mitral leaflet, which was due to chordal elongation (

= 63, 29.2%) and/or ruptured chordae (

= 41, 19%). There were 32 deaths (10%) and of these, 27 (8.4%) patients died prior to surgery.

Rheumatic MR in KZN predominantly affects the young, with concomitant carditis resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates.

Rheumatic MR in KZN predominantly affects the young, with concomitant carditis resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates.In structural biology, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as the main technique for determining the atomic structures of macromolecular complexes. This has largely been due to the introduction of direct electron detectors, which have allowed for routinely reaching a near-atomic resolution when imaging such complexes. In chemistry and materials science, the applications of cryo-EM have been much more limited. A recent paper (Z. Li et al., Chemically Controlled Helical Polymorphism In Protein Tubes By Selective Modulation Of Supramolecular Interactions, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 19448-19457) has used low resolution cryo-EM to analyze polymorphic helical tubes formed by a tetrameric protein, and has made detailed models for the interfaces between the tetramers in these assemblies. Due to intrinsic ambiguities in determining the correct helical symmetry, we show that many of the models are likely to be wrong. This note highlights both the enormous potential for using cryo-EM, and also the pitfalls possible for helical assemblies when a near-atomic level of resolution is not reached.A one-compartment photofuel cell with two photoelectrodes was combined with a capacitor to develop a portable self-powered sensor for sulfadimethoxine (SDM) detection. The developed sensor was applied to the assay of SDM in veterinary drug samples with desirable accuracy and precision.We investigate directional ice templating of dilute aqueous colloidal particle dispersions and examine the nature of the assemblies that result. We coat micron-size polystyrene colloids with cross-linkable polymer (polyethyleneimine, PEI), add cross-linker, and subject this dispersion to unidirectional freezing. We work at sufficiently low colloid concentrations, such that the particles do not percolate on freezing. When the aqueous dispersion freezes, ice crystals force polymer-coated particles and cross-linker into close proximity. This results in the formation of cross-linked clusters of particles at ice crystal boundaries. We vary the particle volume fraction from φ ∼ 2.5 × 10-3 to φ ∼ 5.0 × 10-2 and observe that there is a transition from isolated single particles to increasingly large sized clusters. Most of the clusters formed under these conditions are either linear, two-particle wide chains, or sheet-like aggregates. The probability (Pn) of clusters containing n particles (n > 2) obeys a power law Pn ∼ n-η, where η strongly depends on the particle concentration in the dispersion, varying from 2.