Initial Experience Using the Gore Embolic Filter in Carotid Interventions

Abstract: Background. This is the first clinical report on experience in the use of the Gore embolic filter in carotid interventions. It was designed as a guidewire and embolic protection system in carotid, peripheral, and coronary interventions. The ability to capture debris is driven by the frame of the filter, which is designed to improve vessel wall apposition and allows a short landing zone. Methods. We report the results of the first 20 consecutive patients undergoing carotid artery stenting using the Gore embolic filter in our institution. We analyzed technical success as well as the occurrence of transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, or death periprocedurally and through 30 days of follow-up. Mean patient age was 72 years and 12 patients (60%) were male. Seven patients were symptomatic and 4 patients suffered recurrent neurological events. Results. Technical success was achieved in all procedures. In 1 patient, the retrieval catheter was caught between the proximal struts of the stent and required further retrieval maneuvers. Within 30 days of follow-up, 1 patient had a TIA. No stroke, death, or myocardial infarction occurred. Conclusion. This initial experience suggests that the Gore embolic filter device can be used safely for distal embolic protection during carotid stenting procedures with high technical success

High‐temperature ternary oxide phases in Ta/Nb‐Alumina composite materials

Coarse-grained composites of refractory ceramics and refractory metals are a novel approach for materials at application temperatures up to 1500 °C. Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ and the refractory metals Nb and Ta are suitable candidates for enhanced thermal shock capability, as they show similar thermal expansion. During fabrication, a key aspect to consider is the possible formation of additional phases upon interaction of the constituent phases as well as through reaction with the environment. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and investigations of the microstructure with scanning electron microscopy methods unveil Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$–Nb composite to form NbO, whereas for Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$–Ta the ternary compound aluminum tantalate (AlTaO$_{4}$) is found. Thermodynamic calculations show that the changing oxygen solubility in Nb accounts for the formation of NbO, and explain the absence of a corresponding niobate (AlNbO4) phase. AlTaO$_{4}$ is identified as the disordered tetragonal high-temperature modification

When Does Construction Enhance Product Value? Investigating the Combined Effects of Object Assembly and Ownership on Valuation

Recent findings have shown that even without the ability to customize a product, individuals pay more for goods that they assembled. In this paper we examine which components of this creation process account for this increase in valuation, and whether it operates equally for owners and non-owners of the self-assembled object. Based on the self-extension theory of ownership, we propose a psychological mechanism by which the assembly process strengthens the self-object association. In three experiments, we find that – although witnessing the assembly process or assembling a similar product can increase participants’ evaluation of, and attachment to, a product that they own – a greater and more consistent increase in valuation and attachment arises when owners assemble their product themselves. Seemingly, merely learning about the assembly process plays only a small role in enhancing value; for substantial increases in value, one must actually assemble the product oneself. Contrary to the previous findings on the effects of labour on willingness to pay, we find little effect of product assembly among non-owners of the product. We suggest that self-assembly encourages objects to be incorporated into the self, but that this occurs most effectively when one owns the product. Keywords: product assembly,This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via https://doi.org/10.1002/bdm.193

A genome-wide association study of rheumatoid arthritis without antibodies against citrullinated peptides

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients can be classified based on presence or absence of anticitrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) in their serum. This heterogeneity among patients may reflect important biological differences underlying the disease process. To date, the majority of genetic studies have focused on the ACPA-positive group. Therefore, our goal was to analyse the genetic risk factors that contribute to ACPA-negative RA. Methods. We performed a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) in three Caucasian European cohorts comprising 1148 ACPA-negative RA patients and 6008 controls. All patients were screened using the Illumina Human Cyto-12 chip, and controls were genotyped using different genome-wide platforms. Population-independent analyses were carried out by means of logistic regression. Meta-analysis with previously published data was performed as follow-up for selected signals (reaching a total of 1922 ACPA-negative RA patients and 7087 controls). Imputation of classical HLA alleles, aminoacid residues and single nucleotide polymorphisms was undertaken. Results. The combined analysis of the studied cohorts resulted in identification of a peak of association in the HLA-region and several suggestive non-HLA associations. Meta-analysis with previous reports confirmed the association of the HLA region with this subset and an observed association in the CLYBL locus remained suggestive. The imputation and deep interrogation of the HLA region led to identification of a two aminoacid model (HLA-B at position 9 and HLA-DRB1 at position 11) that accounted for the observed genome-wide associations in this region. Conclusions. Our study shed light on the influence of the HLA region in ACPA-negative RA and identified a suggestive risk locus for this condition