External Aortic Root Support to Prevent Aortic Dilatation in Patients With Marfan Syndrome

Background: Personalized external aortic root support (PEARS) was introduced in 2004 for prevention of aortic root dilatation in Marfan patients. The individual's aortic root is replicated by 3-dimensional printing. A polymer mesh sleeve is manufactured, which is implanted with the aim to support and stabilize the aortic wall. / Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness of PEARS for prevention of aortic root dilatation in Marfan patients. / Methods: A total of 24 consecutive Marfan patients operated 2004 to 2012 were prospectively monitored with magnetic resonance imaging. Following a pre-defined protocol, baseline and follow-up aorta measurements were made in a blinded random sequence. / Results: The mean age of the patients was 33 ± 13.3 years (range: 16 to 58 years), and the mean aortic root diameter was 45 ± 2.8 mm (range: 41 to 52 mm). Follow-up was 6.3 ± 2.6 years. There was no increase in the aortic root and ascending aorta diameters, but there was a tendency toward reduction: annulus diameter 28.9 ± 2.3 mm to 28.5 ± 2.4 mm (change −0.39 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.05 to 0.27 mm), sinus of Valsalva diameter 44.9 ± 2.9 mm to 44.5 ± 3.0 mm (change −0.37 mm, 95% CI: −1.23 to 0.51 mm), and ascending aorta diameter 32.4 ± 3.6 mm to 32.3 ± 3.7 mm (change −0.10 mm, 95% CI: −0.92 to 0.74 mm). In the same period, the descending aorta diameter increased from 22.9 ± 2.4 mm to 24.2 ± 3.0 mm (change 1.32 mm, 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.94 mm; p < 0.001) with a tendency toward increase in aortic arch diameter 24.1 ± 2.0 mm to 24.5 ± 2.8 mm (change 0.41 mm, 95% CI: −0.56 to 1.37 mm). / Conclusions: PEARS is effective in stabilizing the aortic root and preventing its dilatation. It is a viable alternative for prevention of aortic root dissection in Marfan patients

The socio-cultural perception of death in Turkish society recorded in lament epics (1955-1975)

This study explores the socio-cultural perception of death among Turkish people. For this reason, 210 published lament epics written by Turkish folk singers across all of Turkey concerning deaths between 1955 and 1975 were selected for analysis. These epics were published on single pages and were sold. The statistical analysis based on detailed content analysis was done at the univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels. The results of the study provide a full picture of perception of cases of death in Turkish society. These results show Turkish society is especially sensitive to cases of death at young age and to the murdered. Further, a clear perception of the working of fate is encountered in deaths resulting from disaster and accidents; but the desire for vengeance is recorded in those laments concerning martyrs and the murdered. The statistical data show that most commonly cited reasons for death after road accidents, were a consequence of relationships with the opposite sex and from a sense of honor. © 2014, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc

Infrared spectrum and STM images of cyclohexene-2-ethanamine: First principle investigation

Cataloged from PDF version of article.he vibrational properties of cyclohexene-2-ethanamine molecule are studied by both theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical calculations are performed using density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) based on plane wave pseudopotential method while the experimental technique is infrared (IR) spectroscopy. We also present the results of theoretical calculation of STM images for electron density of the cyclohexene-2-ethanamine. Our results also show that DFPT can be applied to the molecular systems in GGA approximation by comparing experimental and other commercial theoretical methods. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Unusual stroke cause: bilaterally fornix infarction in a patient with biotinidase deficiency

[No abstract available