Changes In Diameter Research Articles

Investigation of magnetocapacitance and magnetoconductivity in single-phase Y-Type hexaferrite Ba2Co2Fe12O22 nanoparticles

This research paper examines the synthesis and characterization of Y-type hexaferrite Ba2Co2Fe12O22 nanoparticles produced using the sol-gel method. The study explores their structural, magnetic, and electrical properties, confirming the successful synthesis of pure-phase hexaferrites with a hexagonal structure at an annealing temperature of 1150 °C. Morphological analysis reveals changes in nanoparticle diameter based on varying annealing temperatures. The Ba2Co2Fe12O22 nanoparticles display soft ferrimagnetism, achieving a peak saturation magnetization of 52.31 emu/g at 1150 °C, along with notable magnetocrystalline anisotropy and anisotropy field. Investigations on magnetocapacitance and magnetoconductivity under magnetic fields revealed improved performance, with high magnetocapacitance (MC%) and magnetoconductivity (MσAC%) percentages of 24 % and 21 %, respectively. This suggests the potential utility of these nanoparticles in applications such as permanent magnets, magnetic recording media, and spintronic devices.

Breakfast skipping suppresses the vascular endothelial function of the brachial artery after lunch.

Breakfast skipping has been suggested to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, whether breakfast skipping affects vascular endothelial function (VEF), a marker of cardiovascular diseases, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of breakfast consumption (Eating trial) and skipping (Skipping trial) on brachial artery (BA) VEF in healthy breakfast eaters. A total of nine healthy individuals (4 females and 5 males) either had breakfast between 830 and 900 or skipped it and had lunch between 1200 and 1230, followed by a 3-h rest period until 1530. For BA VEF evaluation, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured by ultrasound before and after breakfast and lunch. FMD was calculated as the percent change in BA diameter normalized to the shear rate area under the curve (FMD/SRAUC). Blood glucose, plasma insulin, and plasma free fatty acid levels in capillaries were measured before and after breakfast and lunch. At 1530, the Eating trial, but not the Skipping trial, significantly increased FMD/SRAUC from baseline (P = 0.006). The Skipping trial showed significantly lower changes in FMD/SRAUC from 830 than the Eating trial at 1530 (P < 0.001). We found a significant inverse correlation between changes in FMD/SRAUC between 830 and 1530 and peak glucose levels after lunch (r = -0.882, P < 0.001) and with an incremental area under the curve for glucose between 830 and 1530 (r = -0.668, P < 0.001). These results suggest that a single bout of breakfast skipping can suppress BA VEF in the afternoon because of postlunch hyperglycemia.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Skipping breakfast does not affect vascular endothelial function (VEF) before lunch. However, after lunch on normal meals (i.e., not oral glucose tolerance test), VEF was found to be lower in those who skipped breakfast than those who ate breakfast. Such reduced postlunch VEF after skipping breakfast was associated with postprandial hyperglycemia. These results provide important insight into the impact of eating breakfast on VEF and glycemic control in healthy adults.

Ocular Accommodative and Pupillary Responses During Fixation on Augmented Reality With a Maxwellian Display.

This study aimed to investigate the changes in ocular refraction and pupillary diameter during fixation on augmented reality (AR) images using a Maxwellian display. Twenty-two healthy young volunteers (average age, 20.7 ± 0.5 years) wore a Maxwellian display device in front of their right eye and fixated on an asterisk displayed on both a liquid-crystal display (real target) and a Maxwellian display (AR target) for 29 seconds (real as a baseline for 3 seconds, AR for 13 seconds, and real for 13 seconds) at distances of 5.0, 0.5, 0.33, and 0.2 meters. A binocular open-view autorefractometer was used to measure the ocular refraction and pupillary diameter of the left eye. Accommodative (5.0 meters, 0.28 ± 0.29 diopter [D]; 0.5 meter, -0.12 ± 0.35 D; 0.33 meter, -0.43 ± 0.57 D; 0.2 meter, -1.20 ± 0.82 D) and pupillary (5.0 meters, 0.07 ± 0.22 mm; 0.5 meter, -0.08 ± 0.17 mm; 0.33 meter, -0.16 ± 0.20 mm; 0.2 meter, -0.25 ± 0.24 mm) responses were negative when the real target distances were farther away. The accommodative response was significantly and positively correlated with the pupillary response during fixation on the AR target (R2 = 0.187, P < 0.001). Fixating on AR images using a Maxwellian display induces accommodative and pupillary responses. Accommodative responses depend on the distance between real objects. Overall, the Maxwellian display does not completely eliminate accommodation in real space.

Comparison of Superselective Renal Artery Embolization versus Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy in Ruptured Hemorrhagic Renal Angiomyolipoma: A Single-Center Study.

To analyze the clinical efficacy of superselective renal artery embolization and retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for the treatment of ruptured hemorrhagic renal angiomyolipoma and to provide a reference for the selection of treatment methods for ruptured hemorrhagic renal angiomyolipoma. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 24 patients who were diagnosed with ruptured hemorrhagic renal angiomyolipoma at the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between January 2019 and December 2021. Among them, 10 patients were treated with superselective arterial embolization (SAE), and 14 patients were treated with retroperitoneal laparoscopic part nephrectomy (RLPN). The differences between the two treatment methods in terms of hospital stay, hospital costs, anesthesia method, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bed rest time, antibiotic dosage, postoperative complication rate, tumor diameter changes, creatinine value changes, hemoglobin value changes, tumor recurrence rate, and reoperation rate were compared. All patients completed the treatment and were discharged. There were no significant differences in length of hospital stay, hospital costs, creatinine change values, or postoperative complication rates between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in surgical time (85.50 ± 19.94 min vs. 141.07 ± 76.33 min), intraoperative blood loss (21.50 ± 14.72 mL vs. 153.57 ± 97.00 mL), postoperative bed rest time (22.7 ± 1.56 h vs. 41.21 ± 3.57 h), preoperative hemoglobin levels (94.7 ± 23.62 g/L vs. 113.79 ± 17.83 g/L), and hemoglobin changes (-6.60 ± 10.36 g/L vs. -15.21 ± 8.79 g/L) between the two groups. Both groups of patients had an average follow-up period of 22 months, and patients in the SAE group had a mean reduction of 3.33 cm in tumor diameter within the follow-up period compared with the pre-embolization period (p < 0.05). None of the patients in the SAE group experienced rebleeding, and there was no tumor recurrence in either group. SAE and RLPN are effective treatments for ruptured renal angiomyolipoma with good outcomes. Furthermore, compared to RLPN, SAE offers advantages such as simplicity of operation, minimal trauma, shorter surgical time, minimal impact on hemoglobin levels, shorter bed rest time, faster postoperative recovery, and maximal preservation of renal units.

The weather today rocks or sucks for my tree: exploring the understanding of climate impacts on forests at high school level through tweets

Abstract. With the progression of global warming, impacts on the human sphere will undoubtedly increase. One prominent example at mid-latitudes is the stress on forests caused by climate change, which the BayTreeNet project (https://baytreenet.de/, last access: 30 July 2024) addresses from an interdisciplinary viewpoint. Scientists from physical climatology, dendroecology, and educational research collaborate to examine how long-term changes in weather patterns affect the state of trees, and how the atmosphere–tree relation can be used to the advantage of improving the communication of climate change effects to, in particular, high school students. This article presents a 1-week case study for the summer of 2021, when a distinct variability in weather patterns induced significant tree responses. The students of seven selected partner schools commented on the measured tree and weather data, which were available in real time, in the form of tweets and in conjunction with their educational geography program. The analyses of the tweets reveal that the students succeed in verbalizing the measured weather and, furthermore, manage to draw links between the stem diameter changes in trees and the weather variability. Problems arise with the use of less perceivable variables like the sap flow in the trees; also, the student posts exhibit shortcomings in establishing causal connections. Hence, the case study points to a discrepancy between describing basic environmental information and appreciating or understanding the underlying mechanistic links. This point will serve to refine future classroom concepts and, moreover, to enhance the communication of climate change effects on forests to the general public.

Ultrasonographic Measurement of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Patients with Traumatic Head Injury: A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction: The early detection of elevated intracranial pressure is crucial for guiding interventions and improving patient outcomes in head injury patients. The intracranial pressure assessment with invasive intracranial devices is the gold standard. These devices however has a risk of infection, bleeding and dislodgement. Optic nerve sheath diameter measurement using ultrasonography has emerged as a promising method for indirect intracranial pressure estimation. Aims: To observe the changes in optic nerve sheath diameter over period of time, and to correlate the optic nerve sheath diameter with computed tomography findings of raised intracranial pressure in traumatic head injury. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional time series study was conducted at Nepalgunj Medical College to assess the utility of ultrasonography measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter in patients with head injuries from August 2023 to January 2024. Forty-nine patients with head injuries were included in the study. The ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter measurements were obtained at admission, 48 hours post-admission, and 1 month post-head injury. The clinical parameters including Glasgow Coma Scale and radiological findings from Computed Tomography head were recorded. Results: Forty nine patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, 44.90% (27) were male and 55.10% (22) were female. Age ranged from 5 to 66 years, with a mean of 33.94 ± 15.27 years. The mean optic nerve sheath diameter was 5.24±0.86 mm at admission which decreased to 4.31±0.62 mm at 48 hours and 4.02±0.47 mm at 1 month. Our study showed significant reduction in optic nerve sheath diameter after conservative or surgical treatment in patients with head injury (F = 27.017; P =0.002) Conclusion: The ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter proved to be a valuable tool in monitoring intracranial pressure in patients with head injuries.

Optical fiber with varied flat chromatic dispersion

This paper investigates the design and properties of the conventional all-solid silica based flat dispersion specialty optical fiber. The design utilizes depressed-clad type of refractive index profile which allows for precise control of the optical fiber modal properties, particularly the chromatic dispersion. Specifically designing the dopants concentrations and depressed clad to core diameter ratio allows to obtain optical fibers with flat chromatic dispersion ranging from anomalous to normal dispersion regime. The regime and the values of chromatic dispersion in optical fibers is obtained through the change of the core diameter with the refractive index profile being the same in all optical fibers. The influence of the dopant choice on the mechanical and optical properties is shown using finite element method (FEM) studies. The study demonstrates that fluorine is a better candidate than boron for optical fiber designs that require precise chromatic dispersion characteristics. Six optical fibers were manufactured with the same refractive index profile differing with core radius. This allowed to obtain optical fibers that have chromatic dispersion in anomalous region (17.82 ps/(nm∙km) at 1.96 µm) for the fiber DCFDF1 and normal region (−115.14 ps/(nm∙km) at 1.57 µm) for the fiber DCFDF6.

Transcriptome sequencing-based analysis of primary vein development in Betula pendula ‘Dalecarlica’

Keymessage The study revealed the major biological processes occurred at three developmental stages and identified candidate genes involved in primary vein development of birch plants.Vascular tissues usually mirror the surrounding leaf shape and its development plays a fundamental role in plant performance. However, the information of vascular development in birch trees, especially primary vein development, remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted the anatomical observation on primary veins from leaves at different development stages in Betula pendula ‘Dalecarlica’. With the development of primary vein, dynamic changes in mechanical tissue thickness and primary vein diameter were consistent with each other, and the sum of phloem, xylem and cambium thickness was significantly varied. Transcriptome analysis indicated that primary vein development could be divided into three stages, namely Stage I, II and III, which were in aggreement with anatomical observation. Expression of marker genes associated with vascular tissues revealed that pro-vasculature development occurred at Stage I and II, and phloem development occurred at Stage III. GO enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that shared DEGs at Stage II were mainly engaged in cell division and cell cycle, and shared DEGs at Stage III were mainly engaged in phosphorylation. Decreased cell division and cell cycle as well as activation of lignin biosynthesis might contribute to primary vein development. Combining phenotypic traits, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis and identified a cytochrome P450 84A (CYP84A) family gene (BpF5H1). Based on analyses of gene families, expression patterns and yeast-two hybrid assay results, we proposed a potential electron transfer pathway involving BpF5H1 and three cytochrome b5 proteins during primary vein development in B. pendula ‘Dalecarlica’. These results could shed some light on which biological processes occurred during primary vein formation and provide some valuable clues for vascular morphogenesis in woody plants.

Comparison between AH plus sealer and total fill bioceramic sealer performance in previously untreated and retreatment cases of maxillary incisors with large-sized periapical lesion: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the efficacy of bioceramic (BC) sealer when applied using the single cone technique (SCT), in comparison to AH Plus sealer applied with the cold lateral condensation technique (LCT), concerning their impact on the healing of large-sized periapical lesions in both untreated and retreatment cases.Materials and methodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted on 41 patients who had 60 permanent teeth in the maxillary incisors that were accompanied by large-sized periapical lesions. The included teeth were radiographed with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and divided equally into two groups according to the endodontic treatment statute (30 untreated previous cases and 30 retreated cases). Subsequently, teeth received uniform preparation, irrigation, and dressing procedures. Then each group was divided equally according to the used sealer (15 teeth obturated using AH plus sealer with LCT and 15 teeth obturated using BC sealer with SCT). All cases were followed up after 6 and 12 months with CBCT images. Subsequently, the change in periapical lesion diameter (PLD) was observed as an indicator to determine the treatment outcome score. One-way ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U test were used to analyze the PLD changing and scoring the treatment outcome during the follow-up periods. The significance level was set at α = 0.05.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between untreated and retreatment cases neither using AH plus sealer with LCT nor BC sealer with SCT regarding changes in PLD in the follow-up periods. Moreover, there were no significant differences between groups regarding treatment outcome scores in the follow-up periods. All groups showed a high success rate.ConclusionsSuccessful treatment was achieved for untreated or retreatment maxillary incisor cases accompanied by large-sized periapical lesions using either BC sealer with the SCT or AH Plus sealer with LCT with a similar high success rate up to 12 months follow-up period.

Experimental study on single-cylinder two-stroke piston expander based on in-cylinder spray heat transfer

Compressed air energy storage stands as a highly promising technology within the realm of energy retention. The piston expander finds applicability in smaller-scale compressed air energy storage systems. In compressed air energy storage systems, the expansion process is critical in energy discharge and significantly impacts overall performance. Isothermal expansion techniques are effective in enhancing the operational efficiency of piston expanders, in contrast to adiabatic expansion methodologies. Previous simulations by our research group show that the isothermal expansion model has a lower power output than the adiabatic expansion model due to its higher exhaust pressure. To further validate the accuracy of the simulation results, an experimental platform was constructed and the uncertainty of the experimental system as well as the measured data was evaluated. This study conducted experimental research using the single-variable method, focusing on different load conditions and spray parameters. The study findings indicate that the exhaust pressure during isothermal expansion consistently exceeds that of adiabatic expansion. The exhaust pressure of isothermal expansion increased by 3.85 % to 14.9 %. Under varying load conditions, the average rotational speed and output power of isothermal expansion were noted to be inferior to those of adiabatic expansion. Despite changes in nozzle diameter or spray temperature when the spray timing is set at 0°-180°, the average rotational speed and output power of isothermal expansion remain lower than that of adiabatic expansion. The average output power of isothermal expansion decreased by 1.29 % to 5.24 %. Nevertheless, if the spray timing is set between 0°-120°, the average output power of the isothermal expansion surpasses the adiabatic expansion with an improvement of 1.84 %.

Calcium Role in Gap Junction Channel Gating: Direct Electrostatic or Calmodulin-Mediated?

The chemical gating of gap junction channels is mediated by cytosolic calcium (Ca2+i) at concentrations ([Ca2+]i) ranging from high nanomolar (nM) to low micromolar (µM) range. Since the proteins of gap junctions, connexins/innexins, lack high-affinity Ca2+-binding sites, most likely gating is mediated by a Ca2+-binding protein, calmodulin (CaM) being the best candidate. Indeed, the role of Ca2+-CaM in gating is well supported by studies that have tested CaM blockers, CaM expression inhibition, testing of CaM mutants, co-localization of CaM and connexins, existence of CaM-binding sites in connexins/innexins, and expression of connexins (Cx) mutants, among others. Based on these data, since 2000, we have published a Ca2+-CaM-cork gating model. Despite convincing evidence for the Ca2+-CaM role in gating, a recent study has proposed an alternative gating model that would involve a direct electrostatic Ca2+-connexin interaction. However, this study, which tested the effect of unphysiologically high [Ca2+]i on the structure of isolated junctions, reported that neither changes in the channel's pore diameter nor connexin conformational changes are present, in spite of exposure of isolated gap junctions to [Ca2+]i as high at the 20 mM. In conclusion, data generated in the past four decades by multiple experimental approaches have clearly demonstrated the direct role of Ca2+-CaM in gap junction channel gating.

Jacobi-Fourier phase masks as ophthalmic elements to correct presbyopia.

Investigations into the correction of presbyopia have considered lens design, clinical implications and the development of objective metrics such as the visual Strehl ratio. This study investigated the Jacobi-Fourier phase mask as an ophthalmic element in the correction of presbyopia. The goal was to develop a contact or intraocular lens whose performance was largely insensitive to changes in pupil diameter. Numerical simulations based on Fourier optics were performed to evaluate three different Jacobi-Fourier polynomials, with the aim of providing a range of clear vision (1 Dioptre (D)). Performance was evaluated for three pupil sizes (6, 4 and 2 mm), while polychromatic images were simulated using three different wavelengths (656.3, 587.6 and 486.1 nm). The Neural Transfer function was included in the simulation. To validate the method and results, we used the Visual Strehl combined objective metric (VSCombined) currently used in visual optics. This metric gives more weight to the phase transfer function and is more suitable for non-symmetrical phase functions. Numerical validation showed the suitability of the Jacobi-Fourier phase masks for extending the range of clear vision of presbyopic eyes, providing a visual acuity of at least 0.10 logMAR (6/7.5 Snellen) at all distances between 1 and 6 m. The results show a range of clear vision of 1D was not affected by changes in pupil size, an increase in retinal image contrast accompanied by image artefact reduction by increasing the radial order of the Jacobi-Fourier phase mask and a reduction of wavelength dependence of the retinal images. These results are supported by simulated images and the objective criterion VSCombined. The use of Jacobi-Fourier phase masks as ophthalmic elements for presbyopic correction show promising results, with a good range of clear vision andreduced dependence on pupil size and chromatic aberration.

Local neighborhood affects stem rehydration under drought: evidence from mixtures of European beech with two different conifers.

Mixed-species forests are, for multiple reasons, promising options for forest management in Central Europe. However, the extent to which interspecific competition affects tree hydrological processes is not clear. High-resolution dendrometers capture subdaily variations in stem diameter; they can simultaneously monitor stem growth (irreversible changes in diameter) and water status (reversible changes) of individual trees. Using the information on water status, we aimed to assess potential effects of tree species mixture, expressed as local neighborhood identity, on night-time rehydration and water stress. We deployed 112 sensors in pure and mixed forest stands of European beech, Norway spruce and Douglas fir on four sites in the northwestern Germany, measuring stem diameter in 10-min intervals for a period of four years (2019-2022). In a mixture distribution model, we used environmental variables, namely soil matric potential, atmospheric vapor pressure deficit, temperature, precipitation and neighborhood identity to explain night-time rehydration, measured as the daily minimum tree water deficit (TWDmin). TWDmin was used as a daily indicator of water stress and the daily occurrence of sufficient water supply, allowing for stem growth (potential growth). We found that species and neighborhood identity affected night-time rehydration, but the impacts varied depending on soil water availability. While there was no effect at high water availability, increasing drought revealed species-specific patterns. Beech improved night-time rehydration in mixture with Douglas fir, but not in mixture with spruce. Douglas fir, however, only improved rehydration at a smaller share of beech in the neighborhood, while beech dominance tended to reverse this effect. Spruce was adversely affected when mixed with beech. At species level and under dry conditions, we found that night-time rehydration was reduced in all species, but beech had a greater capacity to rehydrate under high to moderate soil water availability than the conifers, even under high atmospheric water demand. Our study gives new insights into neighborhood effects on tree water status and highlights the importance of species-specific characteristics for tree-water relations in mixed-species forests. It shows that drought stress of European beech can be reduced by admixing Douglas fir, which may point towards a strategy to adapt beech stands to climate change.

Optimal size of Frozenix for true thoracic aneurysms: is downsizing an option?

During total arch replacement (TAR) using frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique with Frozenix for true thoracic aortic aneurysm (tTAA), oversized FET tends to be chosen similar to the endovascular devise selection. However, the oversized FET is considered a risk factor for intimal injury. The appropriate size selection of FET remains insufficiently understood. Between October 2014 and March 2022, a total of 49 patients underwent TAR using Frozenix for tTAA. Out of 49 patients, four patients planned to staged surgery were excluded, 19 patients were operated on with an undersized Frozenix compared with the descending aorta (undersized FET group) and in 26 patients an equal or oversized Frozenix was used (oversized FET group). Clinical outcomes and postoperative diameter changes were investigated. In-hospital mortality was 0%. The mean diameter of Frozenix and the descending aorta was 30.7mm and 28.8mm, respectively, in the oversized FET group, and 26.7mm and 30.1mm in the undersized FET group. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) demonstrated no endoleaks not only in the oversized FET group but also in the undersized FET group. CT also revealed that undersized FET had expanded more than the original diameter in all cases except for two, with an average of 2.47 ± 1.53mm. Additionally, the descending aorta covered with Frozenix shrank in 10 patients (53%). Postoperative adverse aortic events were not observed. Undersized Frozenix tightly fit the descending aorta and resulted in complete sealing without endoleaks. Oversized FET is not strictly necessary considering the size-related adverse complications.

Neurovascular coupling and CO2 interrogate distinct vascular regulations

Neurovascular coupling (NVC), which mediates rapid increases in cerebral blood flow in response to neuronal activation, is commonly used to map brain activation or dysfunction. Here we tested the reemerging hypothesis that CO2 generated by neuronal metabolism contributes to NVC. We combined functional ultrasound and two-photon imaging in the mouse barrel cortex to specifically examine the onsets of local changes in vessel diameter, blood flow dynamics, vascular/perivascular/intracellular pH, and intracellular calcium signals along the vascular arbor in response to a short and strong CO2 challenge (10 s, 20%) and whisker stimulation. We report that the brief hypercapnia reversibly acidifies all cells of the arteriole wall and the periarteriolar space 3–4 s prior to the arteriole dilation. During this prolonged lag period, NVC triggered by whisker stimulation is not affected by the acidification of the entire neurovascular unit. As it also persists under condition of continuous inflow of CO2, we conclude that CO2 is not involved in NVC.

Combustion modes of kerosene spray in a scramjet combustor with different injection schemes

Combustion modes of kerosene spray in a scramjet combustor condition with different injection schemes are experimentally investigated at Mach 2.52. The study is based on two single injectors with nozzle diameters of 0.79 and 1.14 mm and two dual injectors with nozzle diameters of 0.56 and 0.72 mm, respectively. The results show that the weak combustion mode has little effect on the flow field, while the intensive combustion mode has the opposite effect. The dual injector can promote evaporation and mixing of the kerosene spray. Compared with the dual injector, intensive combustion cannot occur when a single injector is used, and the flame stability range is also narrower. As the nozzle diameter of the injector increases, the distribution and oscillation of kerosene spray change significantly, transition from the weak to intensive combustion mode occurs at a higher equivalence ratio, and the flame stability range increases. However, change in the nozzle diameter does not affect the overall process of combustion mode transition. For the single injector, intensive combustion still cannot occur when the nozzle diameter changes. In addition, change in the nozzle diameter has little effect on combustion heat release when the combustion mode remains unchanged.

Three-Year Outcomes of a US Pivotal Trial Substudy for Conformable Endoprosthesis in >=10 mm Non-Angulated Neck Anatomy

To report the midterm clinical outcomes from the GORE® EXCLUDER® Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis system (EXCC) pivotal regulatory trial in the United States (U.S.). This is a prospective, multicenter, investigational device exemption clinical trial at 31 US. sites with Core Laboratory assessment of imaging and independent adjudication of safety. The study enrolled patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with a minimum proximal landing zone ≥10mm and proximal neck angulation of ≤60 degrees between December 2017 and February 2019 as part of a larger study to gain indications of the EXCC device. Endpoints included patient survival, freedom from secondary interventions, and stent-graft related outcomes. There were 80 patients enrolled (88.8% male, mean 73.5± 8.14 years-old). Mean maximum aortic diameter was 57.7±8.0mm (range, 42.5-82.7). There was 100% freedom from type I and III endoleak and aneurysm-related mortality at 36-months. Freedom from secondary intervention was 91.9± (0.83, 0.96, 95% C.I.) at 36-months. There were no device fractures, migrations (≥10mm), or aneurysm ruptures. At 36months, thirteen patients (26.5%) had type 2 endoleak, 32 patients (58.2%) had AAA sac regression, 17 (30.9%) had no change in diameter, and 6 (10.9%) had sac enlargement. Seven patients (8.8%) through 36months underwent reintervention. The 3-year outcomes have continued to show an adequate safety and efficacy profile of the EXCC device with no aneurysm related mortality or Type I/III endoleak. These results demonstrate durability for an EVAR device in US regulatory trials.

Abstract MP28: Advanced Lipid Status Parameters in Women With Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder associated with pregnancy, usually occurring after the 20th week of gestation, followed by proteinuria or signs of end-organ dysfunction. Early-onset preeclampsia is associated with placental dysfunction, while late-onset preeclampsia is recognized as a maternal disorder, influenced by risk factors like maternal obesity, diabetes mellitus, or chronic hypertension. During physiological pregnancy, lipid metabolism changes to adequately supply the fetoplacental unit with nutrients and energy, consequently changing the composition of LDL and HDL particles. However, in preeclampsia, these changes become atherogenic. The study aimed to examine changes in advanced lipid status parameter concentrations and the dominant diameter of LDL and HDL particles during pregnancies affected by PE. In this study, 92 pregnant women at high risk for complication development were followed longitudinally throughout the first (T1), second (T2), and third (T3) trimesters. They were classified into high-risk (HR) (72 women) and PE (20 women) groups based on pregnancy outcomes. Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, triglycerides (TG), apoAI, and apoB concentrations were measured using commercial kits, while LDL-C concentrations and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were calculated using established equations. Dominant LDL and HDL particle sizes were determined by gradient gel electrophoresis. TG levels were significantly higher in the PE group compared to the HR group across all trimesters (p&lt;0.05; p&lt;0.05; p&lt;0.01), while AIP was significantly elevated in T2 (p&lt;0.01) and T3 (p&lt;0.01). HDL-C levels were lower in the PE group than in the HR group in T2 (p&lt;0.05). In the HR group during pregnancy, concentrations of TC, TG, LDL-C, apoB, as well as HDL-C increased significantly (p&lt;0.05 for all parameters), while the dominant LDL diameter decreased markedly (p&lt;0.001) between all trimesters, without changes in the dominant HDL diameter. There were no changes in HDL-C concentration during pregnancy in the PE group. In contrast, TG concentrations increased significantly (p&lt;0.01), accompanied by a significant decrease in dominant LDL particle diameter (p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, pregnant women with PE exhibit atherogenic changes in lipid status parameters, including no increase in HDL-C concentration, potentially leading to a loss of HDL's protective effect.

Value of radiofrequency ablation for treating locally recurrent thyroid cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis for 2-year follow-up.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating locoregional recurrent thyroid cancer (LRTC) after a 2-year follow-up time. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from inception until 20 September 2022 to find studies reporting the safety and efficacy of RFA in LRTC patients after a 2-year follow-up. Two radiologists performed the data extraction and methodological quality assessment according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We analyzed 6 studies, 229 LRTC patients with 319 locally recurrent tumors were treated with RFA. The mean follow-up time of each study was ≥24 months. The pooled changes in the largest diameter and volume were 7.22 mm (95% confidence interval (CI), 6.35-8.09 mm) and 164.28 mm3 (95% CI, 87.78-240.77 mm3), respectively; the pooled volume reduction rate was 95.03% (95% CI, 87.56-102.49%). The total complete disappearance rate after treatment was 92% (95% CI, 83-100%). The pooled decrease of serum thyroglobulin levels was 0.02 ng/ml (95% CI, -0.00-0.04 ng/ml). The pooled proportion of recurrence rate was 6% (95% CI, 0-13%). The pooled complication rate was 5% (95% CI, 0-10%). The major complications were voice change and hoarseness, only one patient developed permanent vocal cord paralysis; minor complications were cough and pain. Ultrasound-guided RFA is an effective and safe treatment for LRTC based on 2-year follow-up results.

Reduced voluntary wheel running behaviour in Kiss1r knockout mice

Kisspeptin and its receptor, Kiss1r, are novel players in the central balance of energy intake and expenditure. Recent evidence also indicates that kisspeptin signalling is important in thermoregulation and generation of the circadian rhythm. We used global Kiss1r knockout mice (Kiss1r KO), which are hypogonadal and develop obesity, to determine the impact of kisspeptin on circadian related behaviour. Voluntary wheel running was examined in Kiss1r KO and wild-type (WT) mice, using gonad intact and gonadectomised (GDX) mice to account for the effects of kisspeptin on gonadal sex steroids. Intact male and female Kiss1r KO mice covered only 10% and 30% of the distance travelled each day by their respective WT controls. In all mice, most of the running activity occurred during the dark phase. GDX WT mice ran significantly less during dark periods than the intact WT. GDX Kiss1r KO male mice ran significantly less than the GDX WT male mice, but the decrease was attenuated compared to intact mice. There was no difference between the female GDX Kiss1r KO and GDX WT. In contrast to the obese phenotype that develops in Kiss1r KO mice, body mass at the end of the study was significantly lower in the GDX Kiss1r KO than it was in the GDX WT mice. The difference in wheel running activity was not associated with any histological change in WAT, BAT, or muscle diameter. No difference in immunohistochemistry expression was seen in lateral hypothalamic orexin neurons or dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area / substantia nigra. We observed increased Iba1 expression (activation of microglia) in the arcuate nucleus of male Kiss1r KO mice. Overall, the circadian locomotor activity in male Kiss1r KO mice appears dependent on kisspeptin signalling and the obese phenotype does not develop in Kiss1r KO mice when they engage in voluntary activity.