Retained Laser Fibre Following Endovenous Laser Ablation

IntroductionTo report the breakage and retention of a laser fibre, following endovenous laser ablation (EVLA).Case reportThe great saphenous vein (GSV) of a 57 year-old man was treated with EVLA. During withdrawal, a flash of light was seen from a hole that had burned through the introducer sheath. This device was removed and a second sheath and laser fibre inserted to complete the ablation procedure. A follow-up duplex scan identified a residual length of laser fibre within the GSV that was removed by an additional surgical procedure. A change in laser fibre length had not been identified during the initial procedure.DiscussionThis case highlights the importance of routinely inspecting the sheath and fibre following EVLA to ensure that they have been removed intact

Age at first birth in women is genetically associated with increased risk of schizophrenia

Prof. Paunio on PGC:n jäsenPrevious studies have shown an increased risk for mental health problems in children born to both younger and older parents compared to children of average-aged parents. We previously used a novel design to reveal a latent mechanism of genetic association between schizophrenia and age at first birth in women (AFB). Here, we use independent data from the UK Biobank (N = 38,892) to replicate the finding of an association between predicted genetic risk of schizophrenia and AFB in women, and to estimate the genetic correlation between schizophrenia and AFB in women stratified into younger and older groups. We find evidence for an association between predicted genetic risk of schizophrenia and AFB in women (P-value = 1.12E-05), and we show genetic heterogeneity between younger and older AFB groups (P-value = 3.45E-03). The genetic correlation between schizophrenia and AFB in the younger AFB group is -0.16 (SE = 0.04) while that between schizophrenia and AFB in the older AFB group is 0.14 (SE = 0.08). Our results suggest that early, and perhaps also late, age at first birth in women is associated with increased genetic risk for schizophrenia in the UK Biobank sample. These findings contribute new insights into factors contributing to the complex bio-social risk architecture underpinning the association between parental age and offspring mental health.Peer reviewe

Efficacy of chewed vs. crushed lanthanum on phosphorus binding in healthy volunteers

Clinical Nephrology735370-373CLNH

Evaluation of endothelialised vascular prosthesis materials under shear

Paper describing an evaluation of endothelialised vascular prosthesis materials under shear

Attachment, morphology and adherence of human endothelial cells to vascular prosthesis materials under the action of shear stress

In an effort to improve the long-term patency of vascular prostheses several groups now advocate seeding autologous endothelial cells (ECs) onto the lumen of the vessel prior to implantation, a procedure that involves pre-treating the prosthesis material with fibrin, collagen and/or other matrix molecules to promote cell attachment and retention. In this study, we examined the degree to which human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) adhered to three materials commonly used polymeric vascular prosthesis that had been coated with the same commercial extra cellular matrix proteins, and after exposure to fluid shear stresses representative of femoro-distal bypass in a cone-and-plate shearing device. We quantified cell number, area of coverage and degree of cell spreading using image analysis techniques. The response of cells that adhered to the surface of each material, and following exposure to fluid shear stress, depended on surface treatment, topology and cell type. Whereas collagen coating improved primary cellular adhesion and coverage significantly, the degree of spreading depended on the underlying surface structure and on the application of the shear stress. In some cases, fewer than 30% of cells remained on the surface after only 1-h exposure to physiological levels of shear stress. The proportion of the surface that was covered by cells also decreased, despite an increase in the degree to which individual cells spread on exposure to shear stress. Moreover, the behaviour of HUVECs was distinct from that of fibroblasts, in that the human ECs were able to adapt to their environment by spreading to a much greater extent in response to shear. The quality of HUVEC attachment, as measured by extent of cell coverage and resistance to fluid shear stress, was greatest on expanded polytetrafluoroethylene samples that had been impregnated with Type I/III collagen

Cross-cultural differences in infant and toddler sleep

10.1016/j.sleep.2009.04.012Sleep Medicine113274-280SMLE

Erratum to “The Distaflo Graft: a Valid Alternative to Interposition Vein?” [European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 25 (2003) 235-239]*

AbstractEur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 26, 111-112 (2003